The American Legion Auxiliary Greer Unit #11 is honoring Dan Horner as the February Veteran of the Month. Dan enlisted in the United States Air Force in September of 1964 and received an honorable discharge in May of 1968, having spent three years and eight months in active military service. Dan was sent to Lackland Air Force Base in Lackland, TX to complete basic training. After basic training, he was then sent to Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL to receive his technical training in automotive mechanics. After completing his training, Dan was stationed in Denver, CO at Lowry Air Force Base where he worked in the auto shop until 1967.

In 1967, Dan received orders to deploy to Vietnam. Growing up, he associated not only war, but not returning from war when he heard “Vietnam”. Both he and his parents, did not expect that Dan would return from Vietnam upon hearing his orders. When he first arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, Dan started working as an auto mechanic, but was soon transferred to a 463L field maintenance squadron. While in that squadron, Dan operated forklifts and cargo loaders. During his one-year deployment to Vietnam, Dan visited many different cities in the northern quadrants including Hue, Tu Le, Cu Nghi, Dak To, Phu Loi and Khe Sanh to name a few. Dan flew into Khe Sanh during the siege on a C-130 which was shot at upon entering the province. He spent eight days there during one of the heaviest combat periods of the siege. During those eight days over 1,000 rounds of high explosive ammunition and between 50 and 80 rockets were shot each day into the base. When asked how he felt about being in a base that was receiving such heavy fire, Dan said that he got used to it and felt luckier than many during his time there.

One of the experiences in Vietnam that has never left Dan was when he was told that he was needed for another mission to Khe Sanh. Dan was leaving for R & R in Australia the next day and instead two of his friends Anselmo and Rios went on the mission. As his two friends were flying into Khe Sanh on a C-123 aircraft, the C-123 was shot, causing it to fly into a hillside. Everyone aboard the aircraft perished in the crash, and the bodies of his two friends were unable to be recovered until after the war. It was a very difficult situation that caused Dan to experience survivor’s guilt. Even though parts of his service would not be considered highlights, Dan did feel that there were some from his experience. He served with good people, learned a lot about himself and traveled to places he never imagined.

When Dan returned stateside in 1968, he landed in San Diego where he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, leaving as an Airman 1st Class. He then flew to Sioux City to see his parents before returning back to Denver to work. Upon returning to Denver, Dan started working as a mechanic for race car engines, but ended up having to find another job. He started working as a photo copier/office equipment repairman. Eventually his brother talked Dan and his family into moving back to Delmont, where Dan now resides.

Dan grew up on a farm 8 miles north of Wagner. He was one of three children and his parents farmed for a living. Dan attended Bryan #2 from first grade until eighth grade before attending high school in Wagner where he graduated in 1962. Farm life was not in Dan’s future as he had very bad allergies and suffered from dyslexia. After high school, Dan went to Omaha to attend a trade school for mechanics. After working as a mechanic for several years, Dan found himself not working full-time and decided that he would enlist in the Air Force. After returning from Vietnam at the age of 24, Dan met his future wife, Janie, at a party. The two ran in the same friend groups. At the time of their initial meeting, Janie was dating a Marine. The next time the two crossed paths, Janie was single and Dan decided to ask her to get coffee with him. The couple dated for nine months before marrying on October 2nd of 1969. The couple have one daughter, Bethany and two grandsons, Cade and Chance.

Over the years, Dan has enjoyed photography, writing and motorcycling. He enjoys taking parade and scenic pictures. Dan learned to overcome his dyslexia and became a published writer. He enjoyed writing motorcycle stories and poems, with one of his most known being “Never Rains In Sturgis”. He has also been very active in local communities over the years as a part of the American Legion, VFW, Armour Hospital Board, Delmont City Council as well as treasurer and firefighter for the Delmont Fire Department.

Thank you, Dan, for your service and for being the February Veteran of the Month.