John M. Dye

Colonel Dye was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia on July 2, 1934 to the late Henry Otis and Garnet (Baxter) Dye.  He graduated from high school in 1952 and attended Northwestern University where he was member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. 

Colonel Dye began his military career by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1955.  He was named the Outstanding Marksman in his platoon and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class upon graduation from bootcamp.  He completed Advanced Infantry Training and was assigned to MCRD San Diego as a rifle coach.

Colonel Dye was accepted to flight training and commissioned as a 2^nd Lt. in 1957.  He left active duty to resume his studies in 1960.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from The University of West Virginia and a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Colonel Dye was promoted to Captain upon returning to active duty in 1966 with orders to Vietnam.  He held multiple roles during his first tour in Vietnam including, Pilot, Forward Air Control Operator, and Assistant Plans Operator. 

Returning to the United States, Colonel Dye was assigned to the Naval Test Pilot School and served as the senior test pilot for Carrier Suitability Branch in the Flight Test Division.  He returned to Vietnam in 1970.

He married Linda Mann, in 1971.  He was assigned to the University of Rochester where he was awarded a Masters Degree in Economics.  In 1975, he was assigned to Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico, Virginia.  He was promoted to Lt. Col in 1977 and assumed command of MABS-14 (Bogue Field) and subsequently of Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron 533.  He was promoted to Colonel in 1981 while serving at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington D.C.  His last tour of duty was MCAS El Toro in California. 

He made the first carrier landings in the OV-10A aircraft as well as the first SATS catapult launches in the A-7.  With over 400 combat missions, Colonel Dye’s personal decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device for heroism in combat with one oak leaf cluster,  the Navy Commendation medal with “Combat V,”  the Legion of Merit,  Air Medal (22 awards), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. 

After retiring from military service in 1983, Colonel Dye was a certified general contractor in South Florida.  Later he served as an instructor and chairman of the Department of Construction Management at Florida International University.

Colonel Dye was preceded in death by his father, Henry, his mother, Garnet, and his sister, Betty.  He is survived by his sister, Suzanne, his former wife and best friend, Linda, daughter Stephanie, son Michael, and grandchildren Brandon, Jordan, Taylor, Chase, Nicholas, Joseph, Atticus, and Katherine.  He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

Local services will be held at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, 7801 NW 5^th St., Plantation, FL 33324 on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family would ask that you consider donating to the Florida International University School of Construction Management Scholarship Fund.  To donate directly to the University, please visit https://give.fiu.edu/give-now/college-of-engineering-and-computing/ selecting “Construction Management” as the designation.