 After leaving the 1st Marine Division on August 10, 1972, he served as deputy director, Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., until February 1973, when he became deputy commander, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.He received a second gold star in lieu of a third award of the Legion of Merit upon his retirement on September 1, 1974.Dwyer died on October 8, 2001, at the age of 82.