More detail on this person: Multiple
Sclerosis.It is with my deepest regrets to inform
you of the passing of my father, LTC Herbert
Degner, on July 3, 2000 at the Tomah VA Hospital
in Tomah, WI.
I have attached an Obituary for you to include in
one of your future publications.
If you have any questions, you may contact me at
this e-mail address or by telephone (608)269-1832
after 2:30 pm.
Thank you for the memories I have growing up as an
Army Brat and living around the Choppers.
Fritz Degner, sniperteam2@yahoo.com
LTC Herbert Larry Degner (Ret.) made his final
flight to the Heavens on July 3, 2000 at the
Veteran's Administration Hospital in Tomah,
Wisconsin.
He attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison,
graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
While attending the University he was a member of
the University Rowing Crew which won the National
Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta in
1959. He also participated in ROTC, earning the
Honor of Distinguished Military Graduate.
He entered the United States Army in September
1959 as a Commissioned Officer and was assigned
as a Platoon Leader to the 52nd ARB, 2nd Missile
Command at Ft. Carson, CO. While there he
completed the Infantry Officer's Basic Course at
Ft. Benning, GA receiving his Expert Infantryman's
Badge.
He attended ORWAC, Class 62-8 in which he was
the Honor Graduate. After completing flight
school he was assigned to the Army Aviation Test
Board as one of the Test Pilots for the Chinook.
He served in this capacity until he was sent to
Vietnam in August of 1964. He flew UH-1B's as a
Section Leader of the 145th Airlift Platoon of
the 145th Aviation Bde. In July of 1965 he
returned to Ft. Rucker and served as an Instructor
Pilot at the Army Aviation Center until December
of 1967.
He returned to Vietnam in January 1968 for a
second Tour of Duty as a Section Leader flying
Chinooks for the 147th ASHC of the 222nd Aviation
Bn. and in June 1968, he was transferred to the
1st Aviation Bde. serving as the S-3 Training
Officer.
From Vietnam he served as Company Commander
of 154th TC Detachment and later as Commander of
HHC, 21st Avn Bn. at Ft. Sill, OK between January
1969 and September 1970.
He then served as Commander of the 568th
Transportation Company and later as the S-4 for
the 222nd Avn. Bn. at Ft. Wainwright, AK. He was
transferred to Ft. Richardson, AK and served at
HQ, USARAL in the Maintenance Section through
July of 1975.
In July of 1975 he was sent to the 190th ASHC,
USAR in Olathe, KS as the Aviation Advisor and
completed the Army Command and General Staff
College while there. He made his last logged
flight in June 1978 prior to being assigned as the
Assistant DIO for V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany.
Part of his duties there included devising a Corps
wide evacuation order known as the NEO Plan. He
also assisted with the Evacuation of the American
Hostages from Tehran, Iran to Rhine-Main Air Force
Base.
He chose Ft. McCoy, WI as his final tour of duty
and was assigned as a Training Officer for the
Readiness Group, which supervised many National
Guard and Reserve Units in the Upper Midwest. In
March of 1982 he was promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel and became the Executive Officer of the
Readiness Group.
He retired with a 100% disability due to Multiple
Sclerosis, which he had developed in early 1981,
because it had affected his ability to walk. He
courageously fought on for 19 years, never
thinking of if he would walk again, only when he
would walk. He died on July 3, 2000 at the age of
64 years 5 months and 5 days. He is walking and
standing tall again now, proud to have served with
and flown with many people throughout his career.
God Bless and Thank You all
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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