Premise: Donald "The Great Santini" Conroy (April 4, 1921 – May 9, 1998) was a United States Marine Corps colonel and a member of the famed Black Sheep Squadron during the Korean War. He was also a veteran of World War II and of two tours of duty in Vietnam. He is best known for being the inspiration for the character LtCol. "Bull" Meecham in "The Great Santini" which was written by his son Pat Conroy.
Hypothesis: Donald Conroy died of cancer.