Colonel Gerald J. Throwe, U.S. Army retired, died 17 July 2009 after a lifetime of service to his country, community, and family. Memorial services for "The Colonel," as he was fondly known, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, 25 July 2009 at St. Ann's Church, 113 S. Kemp Street, Florence, SC. Inurnment with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery on 1 October 2009 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with The Col's dedication to his fellow man, donations in his memory are suggested for The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675-8517, or to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA, 22172. Col. Throwe's life of service began in Norwich, CT, where he was born to Andrew and Muriel Throwe. He graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1946 and then received his undergraduate degree from the University of Bridgeport and an advanced degree from Columbia University. In 1948 he joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Korea and stateside until 1954, when he was honorably discharged. While in the Corps, he served as a platoon sergeant for a reconnaissance company of the 2nd Marine Division. After a brief stint outside of the military, where he provided healthcare service to multiple patients at the W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT and the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in New London, CT, he returned to the military in February of 1966. He was inducted into the United States Army at the rank of captain. His first duty assignment was with the 45th Surgical Hospital, Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Viet Nam, After this 13 month tour in Viet Nam, his primary duty assignments entailed further responsibilities, serving in senior administrative and educational positions as he advanced to the rank of colonel. His last duty station was at the Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, and he retied from active duty in June of 1985. Over the course of his long military history, the Colonel received many Army commendations: the Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Ten Year Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After his retirement from the U.S. Army, he was appointed as a teaching associate at the University of Texas at San Antonio and served in that capacity until 1988 when he and his wife, Anita, moved to Florence, SC. Continuing his life of service in the Florence community, the Colonel spoke to students about his experience in Korea and Viet Nam and about military history; he was active in the Golden Kiwanis International; he was a volunteer for 9 years at Alzheimer's Respite Care of the Carolina's Hospital System; he volunteered his time as a ranger during the Nike Tournament at the Country Club of South Carolina; and, finally, he became an organ donor upon his death. Few people knew that the Colonel donated 268 pints of blood to the American Red Cross over the course of his lifetime, something of a record. The Colonel will be missed by the community and his friends, but most especially by his wife, Anita. In addition to his wife of 36 years, he is also survived by his six children: Kathleen Throwe Brown, Pocomoke City, MD, Thomas Throwe and wife Jane of Wading River, NY, Kevin Throwe and wife Cheryl of Pataskala, OH, Shawn Throwe and wife Sarah of Alameda, CA, Terrence Throwe and wife Barbara of Billerica, MA, and Jeremy Throwe Julianne Simpson of Bowie, MD. Also mourning the loss of their grandfather are eight grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud. Four brothers and a sister survive him; Major General James H. Throwe, Andrew Throwe, Richard Throwe, Eugene Throwe, and Margaret Throwe Wilson. Colonel Gerry Throwe was extremely devoted to his wife, his family, friends, and to his country.