TRANTER VERLIN B

LTC Verlin B. Tranter was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 12/09/2008 at the age of 76.1
Huntsville, AL
Date of Birth 11/11/1932
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 240 AHC in 67
Call sign in Vietnam GREYHOUND
This information was provided by 240 AHC web site, Alice Tranter (wife)

More detail on this person: Back in 1967 Captain Tranter was the 240th Assault Helicopter Company Greyhound's, White Flight's, first Platoon Leader.Bear Cat VN. He was also a hell of a pilot. I can testify to that having filled the Crew Chief seat many times with him at the controls. He flew by the book, there was not a bit of hot dogging or playing around with him at the controls. He trusted his crew and made all who flew with him understand what he expected from them. He wanted his crew to talk to him, to report over the intercom what we see, hear and feel. That kind of communication made dropping into a bomb crater L/Z in the middle of the jungle a snap. Without his leadership our tail rotor would have been history, along with us. He stayed cool. We stayed alive, because we communicated. He retired a Lt. Col.

In 2001 I sent him some pictures of himself that I had taken of him back in 1967. He told me when he received them that he and his wife Alice cried with joy.... He was a good man. And a great pilot. I will miss him. May he rest in peace.

From: SP/5 William Proud, Grey Hound Crew Chief 1967

I am Verlin Borton's wife, Alice. I see all these names on our computer so I am writing to tell you about my husband. As many or all of you have known, he hasn't been well. Well, on Thanksgiving morning he had a fall which gave him only a hairline fracture of where the hip and pelvis meet so there was no operation. However, apparently it was very painful. So he entered the hospital. He remained there and gradually he wanted more and more pain medicine. Well, finally at 12:15 AM Tuesday the 9th he was said to be gone. Yes, he died. He went to heaven, the place he loved to talk about. The funeral was the 12th and now his body is in Illinois, awaiting burial. Part of his family has gone there and will have a military farewell for him on Monday. So I am starting to take care of things here while I gain strength from the Lord.

From: Alice Tranter

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024