Cwo5 Donald H. Dinsmore, Usmcr (Ret.)

CWO5 Donald Hayes Dinsmore, USMCR (Retired), 86, of Glen Rock, passed away peacefully in his sleep, in the wee morning hours of September 18, 2024.

Below is an impressive, self-typed, resume of Don:

Born 20 October 1937 in Philadelphia to Capt. (USN) and Mrs. Harold T. Dinsmore. Lived in Pa, NY, Pearl Harbor, T.H., VA and NJ. Graduated Montclair HS, Montclair, NJ class of 1956. Attended Penn State University 1956-58. Employed by International Latex Corp as mechanical draftsman working on design/testing of Apollo space suit 1958-60. Enlisted in USMC 30 April 1960. Attended boot camp, Parris Island and infantry training at Camp Geiger. Awarded American Spirit Honor Medal on completion of basic training at PI. Graduated from Communication Technician "O" Branch 1961.

Assigned to Comm Company, 2nd Marine Division, then to 2nd Composite Radion Company, Camp Lejeune, NC. Transferred to 1st Composite Radio Company for duty with 1st Marine Division. Established Special Security Communications Team 2 at 1st MarDiv 1962-64. Released from active duty 1964 and entered USMCR February 1965 with NavSecGru reserve program. Employed by CIA 1966-1973, U.S. Marshal with Federal Reserve 1973-76. Employed as Special Security Officer at Naval Electronic Systems Security Engineering Center 1976-1983. Employed as Special Security Officer at Naval Security Station and Hq, Naval Security Group 1983 until retirement 1997. Reserve service with NavSecGru reserve units 1965-1989 with duty at NSGA Winter Harbor, Maine, NTTC Pensacola, NSGA Edzell Scotland, NSGA Menwith Hill England, USEUCOM Vaihingen Germany, NSGA Chesapeake, Va. Selected as Warrant Officer, 1972. In 1989 selected as one of six persons to establish a Reserve Unit in support of the National Reconnaissance Office providing National Systems Support to tactical forces. Unit was awarded Joint Unit Meritorious Service Ribbon for support during Desert Shield/Storm 1991. This unit was also awarded the Intelligence Community Meritorious Unit Award by the Director of Central Intelligence for support during the Iraq War; the only reserve unit to receive this award. Completed the NRO Exercise Agent course and provided exercise support to active forces in Guam, Hawaii, and Thailand. First Cryptologic officer selected to CWO-5 in June 1992 and served with NRO until retirement in October 1997. Awarded Navy Commendation Medal 1979 for self initiated analysis of National level Emergency Action Messages which led to changes resulting in increased security of Nuclear Command and Control System. Since retirement, he had been a volunteer ambulance driver/crew member for the local community.

In addition to that impressive resume, Don was also a member of the following: the Zion Lutheran Church in Glen Rock; Marine Corps Cryptologic Association; Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association; Life Member of the Marine Corps Association; Austin L. Grove American Legion Post #403 in Glen Rock; Life member of the Marine Corps League; First Capital Detachment; Commander of the Color Guard for the John F. Nichol Fife and Drums Band in Towson, MD, where he carried the ensign; he was a first Responder with the Glen Rock EMS Ambulance Club.

Don had lived in Glen Rock since 1995. Prior to that he lived in Laurel, MD.

Don is survived by his stepchildren: B. Kirk Fox and wife Kathleen, of Bolivia, NC, Paul L. Fox, Sr. and wife Sue of Gambrills, MD, and Diane Fox Benson and husband Jonathan Swingle of Millsboro, DE. Other survivors include his brother, Grant C. Dinsmore of Wexford, PA; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He also leaves behind one very beloved dog, Sandy.

Don was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 30 years, Florence "Flo" (Kirk) Dinsmore; one step-son, 1st Lt. Robert C. Fox, USMC; and many beloved dogs: Baron, Zsar, Tasha, Misha, Lara, and Urie.

There will be public viewings for Don on Sunday, September 29 from 3:00pm until 5:00pm, and again on Monday, September 30, from 12:30pm until a funeral service begins at 1:30pm, all being held at Geiple-Predicce Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 53 Main St., Glen Rock, PA. Interment with military honors will follow in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Glen Rock.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are requested to the Marine Corps Leage Foundation, PO Box 151536, San Diego, CA 92175, OR the Semper Fi and America's Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 OR the Glen Rock Hose and Ladder Company, PO Box 95, Glen Rock, PA 17327; OR the Glen Rock EMS, 59 Water St., Glen Rock, PA 17327; or the Homeless to Home Husky Rescue, PO Box 251, Loganville, PA 17342.

Online condolences may be made at www.geiple.com.