Colonel John Dunn

Colonel (COL) John P. Dunn began his service in the U.S. Army in November 1945 as an antitank gun crew member. His first assignment was in Seoul, Korea with the 24th Corps where he served in the 282nd AGF Band. He was released from active duty in August 1947. He enrolled in ROTC at Western Michigan University in 1950. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received a commission in the first ever commissioning class from Western in 1951. He has also earned a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1957.

COL Dunn’s military education included the Civil Affairs/Military Government Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Quartermasters Corps Company Officer Course, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Security Management Course, and the Command and General Staff College.

He joined the 415th Civil Affairs Company in 1948 and served in various unit assignments including that of Commander. His active duty assignments include service in Germany from 1952-1954. His last active reserve duty was that of an instructor at the Command and General Staff College in the USAR system.

COL Dunn’s decorations and badges include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Occupation of Japan and Germany Medals, Victory Medal World War II, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Component Achievement Medal.

COL Dunn’s civilian career has been that of a teacher in the Ludington and Kalamazoo Public Schools. He has been an Administrator in the Kalamazoo Public Schools serving as Principal of Central High School, South Junior High and Lincoln School. He has also acted as Coordinator of Public Schools for Kalamazoo Public Schools which included meeting Federal Court mandates for assignment of students in grades K-12 and liaison with Federal, State and Local Courts. COL Dunn was also the President of Michigan Pupil Accounting and Attendance Association. He has since retired from Michigan Public Schools with 42 years credit.