Spc. Craig Amundson, 28
Amundson, who lived in Fort Belvoir at the time of his death, grew up in Iowa and moved to the area in 1999 with his wife Amber and his two young children, Elliot and Charlotte, according to an article in the “Baltimore Sun.” He worked in the Pentagon as a multimedia illustrator for the Army's deputy chief of staff for personnel.
Amber Amundson told the “Chicago Tribune” that she hopes her country will resist the temptation to exact violent revenge. "Because I have lost Craig as part of this historic tragedy, my anguish is compounded exponentially by the fear that his death will be used to justify new violence against other innocent victims,” she said. “I call on our national leaders to find the courage to respond ... by breaking the cycle of violence."
Captain Robert E. Dolan, Jr., 43
Dolan's 1981 Naval Academy Class ring was found in the ruins of the Pentagon. After graduating, Dolan served as a weapons officer on the USS Inchon from 1982 to 1984. He also served on the USS Detroit, USS Suribachi, USS Joseph, USS Richmond K. Turner and USS Thomas K. Gates as well as in Bahrain. He assumed command of the destroyer USS John Hancock in 1998. He reported to the Pentagon in June, 2000 in the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. In this posting he was leading the Navy's efforts to develop strategies for the 21st Century. Capt. Mark Temptesttelli, Dolan's brother-in-law and Naval Academy classmate said that Dolan's efforts contributed to the war against terror that began in response to the Sept. 11 attacks.
In a memorial to her husband, Dolan's wife Lisa wrote, "He saw himself as an American with a simple life. He was a man who saw his duty clearly and did it unselfishly. He was a man who knew honor as a badge, and wore it proudly. He was a man who viewed service as a privilege, and performed it to the best of his ability." Dolan is also survived by his children Rebecca and Beau.
Cmdr. William H. Donovan, 37
After his death in the Pentagon, Donovan was remembered as a "Waynewood Dad," by neighbor and friend Jean Barber. "He was very involved in all of his kids' activities, especially soccer, and could always be seen at their games, encouraging the players and helping out the coaches," she said.
Donovan grew up in upstate New York. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1986 with a degree in Ocean Engineering. In 1995 he earned an M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. He transferred to the Pentagon in July 2000 as a navy staff action officer. "Bill was a devoted father, husband and friend. An accomplished pilot and engineer, he was a professional naval officer destined to command a Navy aircraft squadron. We will miss his engaging personality, mischievous grin and one-of-a-kind sense of humor," said Donovan's colleague, Cmdr. Joe Spitz.
In the years since his death, Donovan's wife Elaine has been active in helping to establish a memorial for Pentagon victims. Donovan is also survived by his three children.
Steven D. Jacoby, 43
Not long before his death, Jacoby, his wife Kim and their son Nicholas converted to Catholicism at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. “The three were very close,” said Good Shepherd’s Father Ronald Escalante. “Every Sunday was family day.” The family had gone boating the weekend before Jacoby’s death to celebrate the birthdays of Kim and Nicholas.
Jacoby was the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President of Metrocall, Inc., a wireless messaging company. He was flying to Los Angeles for an industry conference on Flight 77. He had been with the company ten years. Bill Collins, the CEO of Metrocall, described Jacoby as "an outstanding father, a loving husband, an incredible and loyal friend. "
Terence M. Lynch, 49
Lynch had worked for Booz, Allen & Hamilton for two years before attending a meeting at the Pentagon on Sept. 11. He worked as a congressional aide for Sen. Richard C. Shelby (Al-R) from 1983 to 1995. He had also worked for the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline and his daughters Tiffany Marie and Ashley Nicole. “Terry was a joy to be around, passionate and fun,” said friend Elaine Flynn, who recalled the wonderful parties he and this wife used to throw. Former neighbor Sidoux Michell described him as “an affable, but a very principled man.”
Lt. Col. (ret.) Gary F. Smith, 55
Smith served 23 years in the Army. In Vietnam he received the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism after saving a number of soldiers from a helicopter crash. He also served in Italy, the Netherlands and at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. In 1992 he became the chief of Army Retirement Services, a position he held until his death. He did not work in the Pentagon, but was there for a meeting on the morning Sept. 11.
Smith was survived by his wife Ann and their four daughters. Natalie, Nicole, Kristie and Tracy. The family moved to Mount Vernon in 1984. Smith coached his girls’ basketball and soccer teams and acted as a timer at Waynewood swim meets and West Potomac High School track meets.
“As a coach he was able to reach children on many levels, from the beginners to the gifted athletes, and had a way of helping the girls all come together and feel that they were an important part of his teams,” said family friend Kathy Andrus in an interview after his death. Another friend, Lois Gay, recalled making gingerbread houses with him.
“He was one of the truly good guys,” Col. Jim Sullivan, who carpooled with Smith, said of him. “He loved his mother, his wife and his children. He was a great community guy and had a great sense of humor.”
Sandra C. Taylor, 50
Sandra Taylor, staff action control officer worked in the installation management office at the Pentagon. She died instantly. She is survived by her daughter Samantha.