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<p>Colonel, <em>Philip Dennis Riley</em> was born in Dedham, MA on December 10, 1944 to Alice and James Riley and passed away on July 11, 2025 in Alexandria, VA. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Gere Riley; stepdaughter Troy McCall; daughter Rebecca Baker, husband Joel; Son P. Andrew Riley, wife Allison; daughter Kathleen Riley, husband John; beloved six grandchildren and brother-in-law, Frank Hurley. Predeceased were his sister, Martha, and brother Jim. Gere wrote: “Phil will be remembered for many things, perhaps his smile, a twinkle in his eye and talking with friends, the highlight. He possessed a joy of life—diving deep into whatever he did. Phil was a man of deep character: honest, kind, caring and with a respect for truth.”</p>
<p>The 1966 <em>Howitzer </em>noted: “Phil came to West Point armed with a friendly smile and his hockey skates. Since then, both his smile and his skates distinguished him as a friend among all, but a formidable foe among those who opposed him on the ice. A warm personality plus a better than average hockey player’s ability with the books will carry Phil far along the road to success as an officer.” And so, it did. Phil entered West Point on July 2, 1962. A gifted hockey player at his Catholic Memorial High School in Massachusetts, he was recruited by West Point, playing under renowned Coach Jack Riley. </p>
<p>Phil was among some 1966 classmates featured in the 1967 Newsweek article “West Point Goes to War.” He was commissioned as an Armor second lieutenant upon graduation on June 8, 1966. He served two overseas combat tours in the Republic of Vietnam, first with 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment and as aide de camp to the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division (1967-68). On his second tour, he earned his helicopter aviation wing as a helicopter pilot with the 334th Attack Helicopter Company (1971-72). His military awards and decorations include the Silver Star; Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster (OLC), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (merit) with one OLC; Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with “17” numeral.</p>
<p>After earning his master’s degree in psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Phil served as an instructor in the USMA Office of Military Leadership from 1974 to 1976. On his return to West Point, he volunteered to coach the J.V. Hockey Team. Coach Jack Riley said, “Phil was the best I have ever had.” Phil attended and graduated with honors from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS (1976-77), followed by an overseas assignment in U.S. Army Europe (West Germany) with the 3rd Infantry Division (1980-83). On returning to the U.S., Phil served as commander of 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, TX (1983-86). Phil, along with his many other notable achievements, served on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Task Force and testified before Congress to justify procurement of the fighting vehicle. From 1987 to 1990 he was J-3, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and served as a staff officer under General Colin Powell. Colonel Riley completed his military career as chief officer of the Kenya United States Liaison Office at the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. </p>
<p>Upon retirement in 1993, Phil turned to his love of education into becoming superintendent of New York Military Academy in Cornwall on Hudson, NY, followed by headmaster of Storm King School, also located in Cornwall on Hudson. Returning to serve those who serve, he worked for the American Legion and the Wounded Warrior Project. Phil and Gere enjoyed a lifestyle that included a love of dance, engagement with the arts, and kayaking while at their 1908 Fenno Barn residence in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. </p>
<p>Close friend and classmate Larry Hansen added: “Phil and I were classmates and hockey mates for four years. We spent a lot of time together at school, at the rink or commuting back-and-forth to Boston over the four years. After graduation and in our married lives, we continued to spend a lot of time together. We were very close friends. In my opinion, Phil was one of the most earnest people I knew. He was disciplined, had a high degree of integrity and was a wonderful role model. My wife and I visited with Phil and Gere on many occasions over the decades. On our first visit to the New York Military Academy, Phil told me that he was getting ready to leave the Army. He went to a job fair, and the New York Military Academy had a recruiting booth there. Phil approached the representative, hoping that he might find a teaching position at the school. The rep said there is no teaching position; however, they were looking for a superintendent, and the rep asked if he would be willing to take that position. I remember visiting him at Storm King School in January 2002. Kevin Kelley and his wife, Mary Catherine, were there, as well as Dick Eklund. Going back to August 1968, Phil was a sabre bearer at my wedding at West Point. I remember at Coach Jack Riley’s funeral service in February 2016, I stayed the night with Phil at his Cape Cod house. </p>
<p>Phil lived by the West Point motto of “Duty, Honor, Country” and was respected by all of us who knew him. </p>
<p><em>— Classmates and Family</em></p>
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