More detail on this person: Joseph Edward Potter "Joe", beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and godfather died suddenly on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at his home in Centreville, MD. Joe was affectionately known as Pop-Pop by his grandchildren. Joe was a native of Washington, DC born on March 2, 1943, the son of the late George E. Potter, Jr and Angela Carman Potter. He attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Georgetown Preparatory School and later graduated from St. Francis Prep in Spring Grove, PA in 1962. Joe earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from St. Bonaventure University in 1966. Joe joined the Army ROTC program and received a commission as a field artillery second lieutenant. In November 1967, Joe reported for duty in the Republic of Vietnam and was assigned to the 68th Assault Helicopter Company, 145 Combat Aviation Battalion, 12 Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. Flying UH1 "Huey" troop carriers and gunships out of Bien Hoa, Joe served with the "Top Tigers" and "Mustangs". On April 4, 1968, Joe was shot down, just south of Long Binh. Wounded in his right hand and cheek, he skillfully brought the badly damaged helicopter to the American base. Joe continued to fly and two months later, on June 7, 1968, while flying a mission near the Mekong Delta, he was shot down for the second time. In this instance, another crew retrieved him and shortly after, his Huey helicopter was found with 138 bullet holes. Joe was wounded in the left elbow and arm. After he recovered he was assigned to the 120th Assault Helicopter Company in Saigon. Soon after, he met United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Commanding General Creighton Abrams, who with the incentive of an early promotion to captain, appointed Potter as the leader of the "Razorbacks" Huey gunship platoon in September 1968. The Razorbacks were a VIP organization in direct support of MACV headquarters, and Joe often flew while in direct radio contact with General Abrams. The work continued to be dangerous, but he volunteered to extend his tour and assist in the transition of new personnel before he left Vietnam in December 1968. In his 13 months in Vietnam he had flown 1,400 combat hours. He was assigned to Fort Campbell, KY in December 1968 and commanded a basic training company until being honorably released from active duty in September 1969. He continued to fly as an Army aviator in the Virginia National Guard for seven more years. Joe was submitted for the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal and second Purple Heart Medal, but the records were lost when an administrative building was destroyed by enemy fire before his departure from Vietnam. His military awards include the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal (37 OLC), Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60" Device, Vietnam Service with 5 Campaign Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Two Overseas Service Bars, Army Aviator Badge and Expert Pistol and Rifle Badges. In 1976, Joe began his career as an insurance broker, he thrived in the industry eventually retiring in 2013 from the Alliance Insurance Group. Joe married Mary Margaret Sullivan in 1975, and together they had four children. When it was discovered that two of his children had been born with cystic fibrosis, Joe took an active role in serving as an advocate for research to find a cure for the disease. He served as President of the local Washington, DC chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) for eight years and was instrumental in helping to build and grow the chapter into what it is today. During his tenure with the Washington, DC CFF chapter, Joe helped organize the Contractors Golf and Tennis Tournament, an annual event which raised crucial funds to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Joe also regularly volunteered with the Jeff Davis Post 18 American Legion in Centreville, MD, helping to organize their Wounded Warrior Veterans Day program in his later years. Joe enjoyed duck hunting, golfing, and keeping up with his many friends from grade school, high school, and college. Joe is survived by his wife Mary Margaret and their three children, Joanna S. Conroy (Michael) of Annapolis, MD, Edward J. Potter of Smyrna, TN, and Rosemary C. Chesshire (Andrew) of Arnold, MD. Joe will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Stella Conroy, Joey and Dillon Chesshire. He is also survived by his sister Anne P. Bodner of Washington, DC and her children Brit Marie Powers, Peter Bodner and Anne K. Martin. Joe was preceded in death by his father George E. Potter, daughter Noelle Marie Potter, his mother, Angela Carman Potter, brother, George E. Potter, and nephew John Edward Bodner.
Burial information: St. Raphael Catholic Church
This information was last updated 11/18/2025
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Date posted on this site: 02/07/2026
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