Honoring Service: Veteran Dennis M. McGuckian, Gulf War

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Dennis M. McGuckian U.S. Army Veteran of Rye NY. In May 1974, Dennis graduated from Siena College and was commissioned as an Armor Lieutenant. After serving his country for over 20 years, his military awards include a Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Superior Unit Award, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Branch of Service: U.S. Army

In May 1974 Dennis McGuckian graduated from Siena College and was commissioned as an Armor Lieutenant. After basic training, he was assigned as a platoon leader to Company F, 40th Armor, Berlin Brigade. While in Berlin he also served in an infantry battalion as a TOW platoon leader and Battalion Motor Officer. He met his wife, Gabriele in Berlin and they were married in Hamburg in August 1976. After the Armor Officers Advanced Course in 1979, Captain McGuckian was assigned to Ft. Polk, LA where he served as a battalion motor officer, tank company commander, battalion adjutant and Aide de Camp to the Commanding General.

Departing Ft Polk in May 1982, he was assigned as a Military Science instructor at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. In July 1985, Major McGuckian attended the Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, KS. In August 1986 he was assigned to the Pershing Missile Command, 56th Field Artillery in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. He served there on the General Staff as the Resource Manager Officer and Inspector General.

In July 1989 he was reassigned to the 3d Brigade, 2nd Armored Division (Fwd) in Garlstedt, Germany. Initially he served as Inspector General. Later he was assigned as the Battalion Executive Officer to the 2d Battalion, 66th Armor. This unit deployed to the Persian Gulf and was a key unit in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Battle of Norfolk). Returning to Germany, he was assigned as the Brigade Executive Officer and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1992 he was assigned as the Professor of Military Science and commanded the ROTC cadet battalion at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, PA. He retired in August 1995.

During this 21-year career, he and his wife had three daughters. Nicole was born in Ft Polk, LA. Stefanie was born in Ft Leavenworth, KS. Caroline was born in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany.

His military awards include a Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Superior Unit Award, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), Kuwait Liberation Medal.