Colonel Francis A. Gilligan

Colonel (U.S. Army, Retired) Francis “Fran” A. Gilligan of Arlington, VA, died on July 6, 2024, at the age of 84 from pancreatic cancer. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was in his 67th year of active federal service, having enlisted at the age of 17 in the New York National Guard. A graduate of Alfred University ROTC, Colonel Gilligan served 28 years in the Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. Following his service in the Army, Colonel Gilligan joined the Civil Service, serving first as a senior lawyer at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and then as Director of Training at the Office of Military Commissions. Throughout his career he authored more than 15 books and 40 articles and earned three Legion of Merit Awards, two Bronze Star Medals, and numerous other awards. Colonel Gilligan entered the JAG Corps after graduating from the Buffalo University School of Law. He obtained his advanced degrees, LL.M. and S.J.D., from George Washington University. Colonel Gilligan served as a trial counsel, defense counsel, chief of criminal law, and JAG School law instructor during the first several years of his career. Recognized for his expertise in military justice, Colonel Gilligan continued his career as the 101st Airborne Division Staff Judge Advocate, Deputy Commandant of the Army JAG School, Chief of Criminal Law for the Department of Defense Joint Staff, and numerous years as a military judge before concluding his active-duty career as the Chief Trial Judge for the Army. A lifelong educator, Colonel Gilligan began teaching for the University of Maryland while deployed to Vietnam. During subsequent assignments, he taught courses at Jacksonville State University and Austin Peay State University. At the Army JAG School, Colonel Gilligan served as a criminal law instructor as well as the Academic Director. After retiring from the Army in 1991, Colonel Gilligan taught until April 2024 as an adjunct professor at George Washington University and Catholic University Schools of Law. Colonel Gilligan will be best remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, willingness to help others, and dedication to justice. He served as an example of service and integrity to his family and colleagues throughout his long career. He was devoted to and cherished by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Gilligan. He will be always remembered and loved by his children Cheryl Gilligan (Phil Natsios) and Kelly Bontrager (Paul); grandchildren Zachary Bontrager (Stephanie), Katie Horner (Evan), Alex Natsios (Amy), and Nick Natsios (Emily); and great-grandchildren Elam and Gabriel Bontrager, Julian and Elijah Horner, Theo and Maggie Natsios, and Lyla Natsios. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a future date. The family requests that memorial gifts go to the George Washington University School of Law as a final acknowledgment of Colonel Gilligan’s lifelong commitment to service and education.