Henry Joseph "Rocky" Colavita, Jr. — Obituary
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Henry Joseph "Rocky" Colavita, Jr, age 82, passed away after a short illness on Monday, 25 December, 2023 near his home in Haymarket, Virginia. He was surrounded by loving family and friends. From an early age Rocky dreamed of becoming an Army officer, a policeman and a published author. He ultimately accomplished all three.
Rocky was born in Belleville, New Jersey, raised for a time in Honolulu, Hawaii, but largely grew up in Arlington, Virginia where his father, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Colavita Sr, served as a Judge Advocate officer in the National Capital Region. As a standout track star at Washington and Lee High School, Rocky earned a full scholarship to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) where he continued his stellar athletic career. While he immensely enjoyed his time as a highly accomplished four-year student athlete, his true calling was to serve his country as an Infantry officer in the United States Army.
Over the course of his distinguished 20-year Army career, Rocky had the honor and privilege of leading Soldiers in multiple combat units. In 1965, he volunteered for duty as an advisor to the Republic of Vietnam Airborne Brigade (RVN) stationed near Saigon, where he was seriously wounded and earned the Purple Heart Medal. After an assignment as the Aide-de-Camp for the 29th Commandant of the United States Army War College, Rocky once again volunteered to return to Vietnam to lead the men of Delta Company, 2/8 Cavalry. Throughout intense combat operations, Rocky and his Soldiers pioneered never-before seen company sized ambush tactics that required strict discipline and attention to every detail. Rocky earned the Silver Star as well as six Bronze Star Medals, including one for Valor.
Later in his career, as the Provost Marshal for the Berlin Brigade, Rocky led large scale force protection operations across the city of Berlin, Germany. After retiring from Active Duty in 1983, he began his second calling, this time with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. In his 17 years of faithful and dedicated Service to his community, he achieved unprecedented success by rising from the rank of part-time Bailiff to the rank of Chief Deputy Sheriff, the highest non-elected position in the Department.
Following his second retirement, Rocky completed another life-long goal when he authored "Company Grade: Memoir of an Angry Skipper" which chronicles intimate details of his time in Vietnam with emphasis on his time in Command of Delta Company, 2/8 Cav, 1st Cavalry Division.
Rocky enjoyed driving his red mustang, especially in parades, spending time with his American Legion Post 1799 friends, and spoiling his grandchildren. Rocky is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janine, sons, Erik, Chris (Celinda), and Michael (Giselle) and his eight beloved grandchildren, Christopher Jr (22), Nicholas (22), Benjamin (20), Emma (19) Kate (17), Joey (13), Adeline (12) and Nora (6).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Serve Our Willing Warriors (SOWW), 16013 Waterfall Road, Haymarket, VA.
