PATRICK DUNN, CDR, USN
Patrick Dunn '85
Lucky Bag
From the 1985 Lucky Bag:
Patrick Dunn
Fords, New Jersey
Doc
If there was a word that could describe Pat, it would be "intense." This little leprechaun comes to us from, of all places, the sunshine state of New Jersey. As long as I have known him, he was done nothing halfway; from posing as a tree at a non-costume party to emulating the priesthood for five years of college, Dunnster has disproved the idea that short people got no reason to live.
Dr. Dunn earned his medical degree as the varsity hockey trainer as well as from his unique talent to write (or mix) any known prescription at a given party. Girls have never been a problem for Spanky; with a nickname like Doc, you know he can operate. For Pat, life at the Academy has been one struggle after another, but Doc has gotten by with a simple but effective plan of attack which has helped him in such endeavors as dodging wardroom workers wearing covers. On weekends, Pat just goes to parties, he gets really drunk, and he passes out — no problem.
Good luck Black Shoe.
Patrick Dunn
Fords, New Jersey
Doc
If there was a word that could describe Pat, it would be "intense." This little leprechaun comes to us from, of all places, the sunshine state of New Jersey. As long as I have known him, he was done nothing halfway; from posing as a tree at a non-costume party to emulating the priesthood for five years of college, Dunnster has disproved the idea that short people got no reason to live.
Dr. Dunn earned his medical degree as the varsity hockey trainer as well as from his unique talent to write (or mix) any known prescription at a given party. Girls have never been a problem for Spanky; with a nickname like Doc, you know he can operate. For Pat, life at the Academy has been one struggle after another, but Doc has gotten by with a simple but effective plan of attack which has helped him in such endeavors as dodging wardroom workers wearing covers. On weekends, Pat just goes to parties, he gets really drunk, and he passes out — no problem.
Good luck Black Shoe.
Loss
From Patrick's wife, Stephanie, in an email on August 22, 2017:
Commander Patrick Dunn was killed while on duty at the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 when American Flight 77 was hijacked by terrorists and flown into the building.
He left behind his wife of 23 months, Stephanie Dunn. They were expecting their first child at the time.
Other Information
From the Naval Academy Alumni Association's 9/11 page:
Commander Dunn was born in Fords, NJ. He came from a Navy family—his father served in both World War II and the Korean War—and he decided by 14 that he wanted to be Navy too. Commander Dunn and his brother John both attended the Naval Academy. Commander Dunn served on INCHON, MONTGOMERY, THEODORE ROOSEVELT and LA SALE. He had recently been assigned to a position on the Chief of Naval Operations staff at the Pentagon. His office was among those hit by Flight 77.
Patrick is buried in Arlington National Cemetery; he is also listed at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and the National September 11 Memorial. In addition, he has a memory marker in Oklahoma and another in West Virginia.
Photographs
Remembrances
From the Naval Academy Alumni Association's updated 9/11 page:
There was nothing more important to Patrick then his family and his country. His devotion to the Navy and the Naval Academy was a true example of his love for his country. Whether he was tailgating at a Navy football game or performing an inspection on USS LaSalle, where he served as Executive Officer, being a part of such elite programs made him so very proud. He was truly the best at what he did. Prior to his death, we found out we were expecting our first child in March 2002, although he never lived to meet our daughter, I know her birth would have been the proudest moment of his life. Stephanie DeSimone
From Facebook
Pat was someone you wanted to follow, because he led naturally and humbly, and with some of the finest humor sprinkled on. He was a warm and dedicated friend...the kind of swell guy you don't see for several years and then pick up right where you left off...truly missed. I think of him and Bob Dolan often. Aldo Apache, September 12, 2017
Memorial Hall Error
Patrick is not listed on the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall. All active duty service members killed or wounded in the September 11 attacks were awarded the Purple Heart Medal pursuant to section 1129a of Title 10, U.S.C., which was passed into law in 2014.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
