Peter Martin Cullen

Colonel, US Army (Retired)

November 8, 1959 - January 5, 2024

(Aged 64 years)

Peter passed away on January 5, 2024 at home following a lengthy struggle with myelofibrosis and, more recently, leukemia.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah Buescher, wonderful siblings Kevin (Lesley) Cullen of Noosaville, Queensland, Australia; Una Perrin of Pentlepoir, Wales, UK; Mark Cullen of Tenby, Wales, UK; Christopher (Suzanne) Cullen of Holywood, Northern Ireland; and talented nieces and nephew Emily Perrin, Tom Cullen, and Isabella Cullen. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Patrick and Doreen (Greasley) Cullen.

Peter was born in Toledo, OH, after his parents emigrated from Northern Ireland. At the age of two, the entire family returned to Northern Ireland. Peter grew up in Portstewart and Castlerock, County Derry, and attended boarding school at St. MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower (1971-78). He was very proud of his time at Garron Tower and believed it provided him a superior education and personal development that served him very well throughout his life. He attended University College, London, England, (1978-81), where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (Honors) degree. As a dual British-American citizen, he returned to the United States in the summer of 1981. He spent a wonderful year living and working with the Marist Fathers of Isabella Street, Boston, MA. Peter then attended the University of Maine School of Law, Portland, ME, (1982-85) where he was awarded a J.D. degree.

Peter was appointed an officer in the US Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps on September 29, 1985. He retired on October 31, 2014. During his 29-year active-duty career, he was most proud of serving as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate and later Staff Judge Advocate of both the 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea, and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. His final two assignments were Executive Officer to Lieutenant General Dana K. Chipman, the 38th Judge Advocate General of the Army (2009-12), Pentagon, Washington, DC and Chief, US Army Trial Defense Service (2012-14), Fort Belvoir, VA.

After Peter’s retirement in 2014, Peter and Sarah traveled extensively within the United States. They also enjoyed international travel to countries that included Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Peter was also an avid golfer. A member of Army Navy Country Club, he also played many golf courses with friends in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and occasionally returned to Northern Ireland to play links golf on the Causeway Coast.

A member of Holy Trinity Parish in Georgetown since 2010, Peter was also a volunteer in the PeaceMeal Ministry at Holy Redeemer Parish.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1315 36th Street, NW (between N and O Streets), Washington, DC on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM. All are warmly invited to a reception following the Funeral Mass at the Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA, beginning at noon. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) will be on April 10, 2024 at 1 PM. For those attending the burial service, please make sure that you are at ANC no later than 12:15 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the Walter Reed Society at walterreedsociety.org.