More detail on this person: CancerWayne L
Lehto of Durham, NC passed away January 25th
after a six year running gun battle with cancer.
Wayne served two tours in Vietnam, the first as an
Infantry Officer and the second as a Cobra pilot
in the 361st ACE/AWC "Pink Panthers" from 5/70
to 5/71. Wayne was an outstanding officer and
excellent pilot, hard nosed and gruff, but always
a mentor to the younger pilots in the unit. His
Awards and Decorations include a Silver Star, a
Distinguished Flying Cross, numerous awards of
the Air Medal and all the " I Been There " medals.
Wayne attended Flight Class 69-42. He had hoped
for a Chinook transition out of flight school but
received a Snake transition instead. He never
tired of telling his fellow Panthers and all his
friends it was the best thing that ever happened
in his military career. Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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Wayne attended his first VHPA reunion in DC in
2000. He was hesitant to come at first but
thoroughly enjoyed seeing his old friends and
making new ones. He joined VHPA shortly after
the reunion and was a regular till his health
problems side lined him in early 2005.
He is survived by his wife, Dianna ( Dee ), a son,
Wayne JR and his wife, daughters Sandra,
Stephanie and Janae and their husbands, six grand
children, five brothers and six sisters. Wayne
will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on
February 22nd with full military honors. He was a
warrior extraordinaire.
From: "Mike Sheuerman"