Lanning, Earl, SSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.

Me at my entry into the USAF

My best friend joined the Air Force in 1955, he was underage, he altered his Birth certificate, he got caught, they sent him home, until he was of age.

We talked a lot about his experiences while he was in boot camp. When he became old enough to rejoin he did so and wanted me to come with him, but I was one year short of being able to join. All of our talks while he was home influenced me to join in 1957. I was sent to Lackland Air Force Base at San Antonio Texas for Boot Camp. After Boot Camp, I went to Sheppard AFB for advanced training and Tech School, for Aircraft Mechanics.

The picture is of me at the time of entry into the USAF.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I wanted to be an automotive mechanic, but when it was time to go into our selected fields, there were no openings in the automotive field, the only mechanic fields open to me was in the Aircraft field. I became an Aircraft Mechanic. With many schools and good people showing

C-47 at Langley AFB

me how to do a good job I advanced in my trade and became a Crew Chief on many different planes, on many different bases, I loved working on the planes that I was assigned to, and working on, and meeting many different Pilots, and other crew members, who became friends.

While stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Our Squadron Commander called me into his office and tried to get me to buy a war bond. At the time my family was increasing, and we were living on a tight budget, I told him I could not afford a war bond. He informed me that he wanted 100% participation from his people, and if I did not buy a bond, he would ship me out.

At this time, the Vietnam war was expanding, and most of the mechanics and pilots were being shipped there. I was putting in 17 hour days working on my assigned aircraft, and when my aircraft was gone, I worked on the C-123 planes training pilots on spraying technique's, the place where I worked always smelled of the stuff they were spraying to control flying bugs. I was ready to leave that place, so I refused to buy a bond and was sent to Vietnam.

I thought that showed bad leadership on my Squadron Commander, and going to that war was a changing experience of my life.

After returning from Vietnam, I was sent to Otis AFB, I arrived at Otis in February 1968, in November they sent me TDY to Iceland for 90 days, upon arriving back to Otis, they called me into the office and informed me that I was being sent back to Vietnam. I did not want to go back to that bad situation and decided to leave the Air Force.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
While stationed at Pleiku Air Base on the 6th of June 1967 we were involved in a mission to save an Army unit that was surrounded, and about to be overrun. We worked 37 hours straight, taking turns napping and eating, so someone was always on the flight line to

A-1E preparing for a mission

turn around aircraft to keep pounding the enemy. I arrived in Vietnam on 1 January 1967 and left there in October 1967. Was sent to Nacom Phanom Thailand. My time in Vietnam Quite a nerve jangling experience, we received mortar fire just about every night, and I worked on the second shift 4 till midnight, many a night was spent in a sand bagged bunker with my M-16 and supply of ammo ready to repel invaders, these times in that sandbagged bunker were nerve racking. There was not much to do during our times off, The City of Pleiku was off limits to most of the Air Force personnel, but we could go off base to visit the many Monguard village's, and some of us did that.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER A SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
My first night at work after arriving at Pleiku Air Base South Vietnam in 1967, I was reading SOP's about my duties there. All of a sudden, sirens started to wail, and the night sky lit up like it was broad daylight. Airman First Class Boswell that I was replacing

At Pleiku air base 1967

told me to grab a weapon and ammo and follow him.

I grabbed my M-16 rifle and a can of ammo and went out into the night. He led me to a sandbagged bunker between the parking ramp and the runway and told me that if I saw anyone coming over the runway, to start shooting. I was shaking and nervous and was praying to myself, please if I must shoot let me be able to fire as I had never shot at anyone in my entire life.

Well, nothing happened but did see helicopters flying overhead and shooting at something between Camp Holloway and our position. This was to be the first night of many nights that this event would happen and this would be my position during these alerts; I was just glad that I never had to fire my weapon while there.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memories were of Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, New York. This is where I met my wife and started my family. The Airmen there were of the highest quality that I have had the opportunity to work with. I started out working in the Inspection Docks and

C-47 plane that I worked on

was later sent out to the flight line to work on C-123 aircraft. I was transferred to the C-47 flight, then became Crew Chief on General Neely's personal Aircraft a C-54, this aircraft was used to transport the General across the dew line, these were radar stations across Iceland, Greenland, Northern Canada, and Alaska.

My worst memories were of Langley AFB in Virginia; I was a Crew Chief on 43-49688 a C-47 aircraft that made courier flights to Washington DC twice daily, these flights were flown every day. Then on weekends, the guard used my plane to fly missions to many different places. I worked on an average of 17 hours a day, seven days a week. We were short-handed as most mechanics were deployed to Vietnam. When not working on my assigned aircraft or it was gone, I worked on C-123 aircraft training pilots to use them for spraying Agent Orange in Vietnam.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.

A-1E Sky Raider and munitions that it carried

Being in combat situations and having someone guarding your back. I remember all the fellow Airmen that served with me in Vietnam. Those that came home, and those that were killed or Missing In Action. We came home with agent orange that continues to take my friends with cancers, and me still surviving these ailments, makes me feel guilty that I still survive today.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?

EC-121 at Otis AFB Mass.

Receiving a $25.00 savings bond for a suggestion about my job, and seeing it come into effect and going to Air Force Supervisors school. I had many opportunities that were available to me to better my career in the Air Force. I received many medals most for my service in Vietnam; I am proud to display them. While stationed at Clark AFB, I received an expert ribbon for firing the M-16 rifle; I am most proud of that feat. Being promoted to S/SGT and accepting the responsibility that came with that promotion.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?

My Ribbons

Being awarded the presidential unit ribbon. Vietnam Service Medal /w one bronze star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Longevity Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, that I could not enter in my badge area, and a ribbon for firing expert with the M-16 rifle.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

C-54 Skymaster

S/SGT Woods from my time stationed at Stewart AFB, he guided me through my career, just when I needed that type of help to do my job at my best. He, more than anyone else, helped me understand all I needed to learn about the many Aircraft that I worked on.

He also helped me study to get my A&E license, but I never followed up on that as I was sent to Clark Field in the Philippines. I was assigned as crew chief on General Neely's C-54, this was a great Honor.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
A/3C Alan Sisco, A/3C Charles Parrish, A/2C Bradley Osgood, A/3C Dale Lineback, A/3C Richard Melencio, A3C Jack St Pierre, A2C Riley Wineinger, A/3CThomas Mansker, A/3C Robert Johnson, S/SGT Shelly Moore, S/SGT Frank Spychala, A/1C Martin Wallace, A/1C Chester Ciuba, these are some of my fellow Airmen I served within

C-47 Skytrain.

Turkey my first assignment; I was with these Airmen for two years, Have not had any contact with any of them except A/1C Ciuba while stationed at Stewart AFB in New York.

T/SGT James Fenwick, T/SGT Alan Riggle, S/SGT David Aili, S/SGT Willard Cox, S/SGT Charles Johnston, A/1C Gerald Wainman, These Airmen I served with in Vietnam and Nakom Phanom in Thailand. S/SGT Willard Cox is the only one that I have had contact with. S/SGT David Aili died in an Aircraft crash in Thailand; There were many others I served with in Viet Nam that is not listed here, I would like to contact any of these men that served with me at all places that I was stationed at. Detachment 20, Izmir Turkey, Stewart AFB in Newburgh N.Y., Clark AFB in the Philippines, Langley AFB in Virginia, Pleiku Air Base Vietnam, Nakom Phanom Air Base in Thailand, Otis AFB in Massachusetts. Reykjavik Iceland.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Yes, while stationed at Pleiku Air Base Vietnam, I was in the back of a truck returning from the MACV compound NCO club. I either stepped off the back of the truck or fell out of it, doing about 35 mph. I do not remember falling out or getting banged

Me at Barracks Pleiku 1967

up. But the next morning, I woke up and had small pieces of stone embedded in my knees and elbows. I looked at the uniform that I wore that night, and I looked like I was a character out of a bugs bunny movie after getting blown up, my clothes were tattered and torn, and I had to throw that uniform out.

Another time I was returning to my barracks at night, and unknown to me, they dug a ditch along the road for some kind of lines they were putting in. I started to go to the post office to get my mail, It was during the wet monsoon season, and the ditch was full of water, and the ground was red clay. I stepped into that ditch and could not get back out. I had to follow the ditch until I came to the machine that was digging it. There I was able to use the machine to get out of that ditch. My work uniform turned red from that wet clay, and Mama San could not get it clean, so I had to throw that one away. Sure kept the uniform people busy while stationed there. It was not funny when these things happened to me, but I kind of laugh at it now.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
When I got out of the Air Force I had no job prospects, my brother got me a job at a machine shop where he worked, I was a honing machine operator and made Forman of the shop in 6 month's, the shop closed and I got a job driving a rubbish truck, worked at that job for about 2 years, and injured my back, My doctor told me to stop driving the truck as in aggravated my back. Took a job doing automobile repair and painting, did that for about two years, Then went back to the rubbish company and was hired as a mechanic, within two month's I was made Forman of the entire Maintenance section. I quit that job and moved to Superior Wisconsin, I took a job driving a dump truck, working on road construction for about 6 months.

I then found a job working at a Mack Dealership In Duluth Minnesota, working as a Diesel Truck Mechanic. They sent me to their school in Chicago every summer to learn about all jobs related to the truck industry.

During my time thereafter attending their schools, I was a certified Engine Over Hauler, A transmission Over Hauler, A carrier Over Hauler, An Electrician, and went to school to learn about Volvo truck systems, as Volvo bought out Mack Trucks. I injured my back, and as a result of that injury they put me in the Parts Department, where I learned that system of ordering parts, they made me a parts delivery driver and liaison between the customers and the Dealership.

I injured my lower back again, and after this second back surgery the doctor would not release me to return to work, so I filed for total disability through workman's compensation. I moved back to Ohio, and because of Agent Orange I became disabled through the VA system, and now I am disabled and not doing much, but I do try to stay in shape. I do volunteer at the Senior Center delivering meals to seniors.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a permanent member of the Disabled American Veterans, who, by the way, filed all my claims through the VA. I am a permanent member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, I am a permanent member of the American Legion, I am not as active in these organizations as I once was, but sometimes attend their meetings.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?

one of the many planes we worked on

The Military was a big influence on my life; they taught me discipline, and the ability to work with others, and what it means to continue to learn new things, and what respect means. I miss the fellow Airmen that I had a close relationship with, I remember most of all those that died while serving S/SGT Bobby McKeever who died in an Aircraft Collision at Clark AFB in the Philippines, S/SGT David Aili who died in an aircraft crash at Nakom Phanom Thailand, these fellow Airmen will be in my memory the rest of my life. The Military also taught me how much family matters in my life.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Learn how to deal with what life has to offer, keep learning and attend as many schools as they offer, keep studying, get as many college credits as you can, as it helps you move up in the ranks, and never let down your fellow Airmen.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

C-47 and A-1E

Just by going over my life in the USAF and remembering all those brave men that I served with, some of the memory's made me laugh; some brought back tears as remembering all the great men I knew that died while serving.

They died in the Philippines, they died in Vietnam, and they died in Thailand. I will remember them always some of the names are embedded in my memory, such as a close friend S/SGT Bobby McKeever who survived the war in Korea just to die while on a test flight on a C-47 that was in a collision with a jet killing all aboard both aircraft. And S/SGT David Aili, who died in a C-47 crash in Thailand. These will be with me all my life.

KC 2.29.20