Biography

LTC Dennis Donegan was born in 1966 in Queens, NY. His family moved to Newport and he graduated from Rogers High School where he attended Junior ROTC.  He attended URI, class of 99, as an officer under the Degree Completion Program, having already been commissioned through Army OCS. He was recently inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame for a Lifetime of Service. While attending URI, he volunteered by filling an instructor void in the ROTC Detachment and instructed cadets on tactics and land navigation. He also received a Minor in Military Science having been awarded credit for the Military Science courses. He was engaged in all ROTC events during his time at URI and personally recruited, trained, and mentored numerous military cadets who would later become very successful leaders in the Army.

Dennis’ first duty assignment was with the 1^st Battalion, 508^th Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Heavy Weapons Platoon Leader, and the Battalion S-3 Air Officer.  In these capacities, he deployed to Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, and Tunisia. 

As a Captain, Dennis served with the 10^th SFG in Stuttgart, Germany as the Commander of a Special Forces Operational Detachment, where he was responsible for bringing numerous indicted war criminals to justice in Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor.  Dennis also commanded what was called the “First Strike against Terrorism”, when he led his Detachment on a raid against known terrorists in Sarajevo.  This raid became known as the “Hollywood Hotel” raid.  He also deployed his Detachment to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guard. 

LTC Donegan then served with the 3^rd Special Forces Group in Afghanistan and in Iraq as a company commander where he was responsible for forming the Iraqi Counter Terrorist Force.  Dennis then served with the 5^th SFG as the first Commander of Operations Detachment, Group Support Battalion; and Commander of Bravo Company, 4^th Battalion.  Dennis commanded Bravo Company on its inaugural combat deployment to Kirkuk, Iraq.  He then was assigned to Special Operations Command Central Command and led an Assessment Team into Cairo, Egypt during the early stages of the “Arab Uprising.”  Dennis ended his military career of over 32 years detailed to the Department of State where he served as the Senior Special Operations Coordinator. 

TC Donegan’s awards include: The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medals, Defense and Army Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, 6 Army Commendation Medals, one for Valor “V” device, Joint Service Achievement Medals, the Department of State Superior Honor Medal, the Combat and Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Special Operations Diver Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, and The Order of Saint Maurice, among other US and foreign decorations.   

LTC Donegan continues to serve the Army by volunteering as a Lifetime Legacy of both the VFW and the American Legion as well as advocating for disabled veterans with the Disable American Veterans.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Special Forces Monument.