Dan James Gareri

Dan James Gareri, Col. USAF Ret., age 99, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, passed away after a brief illness on November 21, 2021. Born in Bovey, Minnesota, Dan was the only son of Italian immigrants, the late Vincenzo Gareri and Frances (Capoletta) Gareri, and was a graduate of Greenway High School in Coleraine, Minnesota. Dan left Minnesota in 1943 as an Aviation Cadet with the U.S. Army Air Corps and began his military career in 1944 as Lead Combat Navigator for the 379th B-17 Bomb Group, U.S. 8th Air Force, stationed in Kimbolton, England. As 2nd Lieutenant, Dan flew 225 combat hours and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal alongside other WWII campaign medals. After the war, Dan returned home and received his B.S. and M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, which led to a life-long career with the USAF, as well as his future wife of nearly 54 years, Lucille (Venetucci) Gareri.

During his 34-year military career, Dan was posted to Wiesbaden, Germany; Honolulu, Hawaii; Tokyo, Japan; Dayton, Ohio; Nakhon Phanom, Thailand; and the Washington, DC, area. A USAF War College graduate and Master Navigator with 3,300 flight hours, Dan earned his M.S. in International Affairs from George Washington University and M.B.A. from University of Chicago, and authored over 100 classified studies and publications in his field. An early practitioner in the Scientific and Technical Intelligence (S&TI) field, Dan held key positions within the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), including assignments with Air and Aerospace Technical Intelligence Centers and the Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and rose to Chief, Foreign Technology Programs Division, HQ Air Force Systems Command. As an engineer skilled in R&D and evaluating S&TI data and foreign technology, Dan specialized in Soviet propulsion and weapon systems, electronic warfare, command and control operations, and strategic planning. He served with the Air Technical Liaison Office where he developed and conducted field collection activities; exploited the first Soviet-built MiG-15 and Yak-23 aircraft flown to the West; directed a tactical intelligence unit in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War; was a program manager for Directorate of S&TI, Defense Intelligence Agency; and headed a tri-military team in Israel analyzing foreign weapons used in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In addition to NASIC’s Major General Harold E. Watson Award in 1994, Dan’s USAF medals and decorations totaled 14, with the Legion of Merit awarded at his 1974 retirement from active military service. Civilian honors include Who’s Who in Technology, 1989; Who’s Who in Aviation & Aerospace, 1983; Dictionary of International Biography, 1979; Men of Achievement, 1979; Notable Americans, 1976-1977; Who’s Who in the South & Southwest, 1976-1977; Who’s Who in Aviation, 1973; Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics; and Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Honor Wall.

Following his military retirement, Dan enjoyed a 30-year second career as an independent consultant to government and industry specializing in S&TI design, data analysis, automated information systems, and data base applications. After his second retirement, Dan found a third career in amateur winemaking, earning multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals for his many varietals produced in Virginia. Dan’s lifelong commitment to family and friends was unwavering, and his generosity, technical knowledge, and personal stories will be greatly missed. He is survived by his two daughters, Danita and Gina; son-in-law, James; four granddaughters; one great-granddaughter and one great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille; sisters, Rose and Anna; and half-siblings, Domenico and Maria Rose. Burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery on April 21, 2022 at 10:45am. Please be on base 45 minutes prior to the start of the services. All guests are to enter onto base through the Hatfield Gate off 2nd Street and South Washington Boulevard. Drivers must obtain a pass to gain access onto base at the provided url.

https://pass.aie.army.mil/JBMHH/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Gareri family may be shared at www.demainefunerals.com.