Leavenworth High School Alumni
Leavenworth, Kansas (KS)
Recent Members
| Beth Johnson | 1979 |
| Brad Nelson | 1977 |
| Brenda Morgan Brenda Morgan | 1975 |
| Charles "chuck" Herrmann | 1980 |
| Gary Becker | 1969 |
| John Chester | 1984 |
| Joseph Noble | 1970 |
| Matthew Chancellor | 1990 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Leavenworth High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Pioneers lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Bill Elliott
Class of 1964
Army, 20+ Years
6 yrs. Active Duty - 18 yrs. Reserve
Vietnam Veteran, highly decorated
Major, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
5 yrs. enlisted service
Class of 1964
Army, 20+ Years
6 yrs. Active Duty - 18 yrs. Reserve
Vietnam Veteran, highly decorated
Major, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
5 yrs. enlisted service
Bill Elliott
Class of 1964
Army, 20+ Years
6 yrs. Active Duty - 18 yrs. Reserve
All expense paid tour to Sunny South Vietnam
3 Bronze Stars
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
Vietnamese Civic Action Medal
Vietnam Service Medial
Vietnam Campaign Medal with 3 oak leaf Clusters
13 other awards - medals
However the most important thing to me is the men I got to work with as a Company Commander - A co. 27th Engineer Bn. - The Tiger Battalion in support of the 101st Airborne Division. This battalion is the most decorated Engineer Battalion in the U.S. Army. While in Vietnam the Battalion received a Presidential Unit Citation and 2 Meritorious Unit Citations. This Battalion was part of Merrill's Marauders during the 2nd World War. They captured and restored Myitkina Airfield in Burma. The Battalion has a special award,The Myitkina Award. Only during combat operations is this Awarded and I am blessed and very proud to be one of the recipients. My name is registered in a journal kept at the Battalion Headquarters at Ft. Bragg N.C.
Class of 1964
Army, 20+ Years
6 yrs. Active Duty - 18 yrs. Reserve
All expense paid tour to Sunny South Vietnam
3 Bronze Stars
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
Vietnamese Civic Action Medal
Vietnam Service Medial
Vietnam Campaign Medal with 3 oak leaf Clusters
13 other awards - medals
However the most important thing to me is the men I got to work with as a Company Commander - A co. 27th Engineer Bn. - The Tiger Battalion in support of the 101st Airborne Division. This battalion is the most decorated Engineer Battalion in the U.S. Army. While in Vietnam the Battalion received a Presidential Unit Citation and 2 Meritorious Unit Citations. This Battalion was part of Merrill's Marauders during the 2nd World War. They captured and restored Myitkina Airfield in Burma. The Battalion has a special award,The Myitkina Award. Only during combat operations is this Awarded and I am blessed and very proud to be one of the recipients. My name is registered in a journal kept at the Battalion Headquarters at Ft. Bragg N.C.
Cheryl (Sherry Whisler) Miller
Class of 1962
Army, 2 Years
Army Nurse 1965-67,Vietnam Veteran (1967)
Class of 1962
Army, 2 Years
Army Nurse 1965-67,Vietnam Veteran (1967)
David Brawner
Class of 1975
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
2 years active, 19 years reserve. Retired in 1998 as a CWO-3
Class of 1975
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
2 years active, 19 years reserve. Retired in 1998 as a CWO-3
DAVID GILFERT
Class of 1960
Army, 3 Years
Army Security Agency
Ft Huchuca, Ft Bennig, Germany
Class of 1960
Army, 3 Years
Army Security Agency
Ft Huchuca, Ft Bennig, Germany
Dennis Foley
Class of 1962
Army, 20 Years
20 years as an infantryman in Long Range Patrol, Airborne, Ranger and Special Forces units.
Class of 1962
Army, 20 Years
20 years as an infantryman in Long Range Patrol, Airborne, Ranger and Special Forces units.
Dennis J Fontana
Class of 1965
Army, 20+ Years
30 years Regular Army active duty, mostly with Corps of Engineers. Completed 5 overseas tours. Retired as colonel.
Class of 1965
Army, 20+ Years
30 years Regular Army active duty, mostly with Corps of Engineers. Completed 5 overseas tours. Retired as colonel.
Earl S. King, Jr.
Class of 1970
Air Force, 20+ Years
In September of 1995, after twenty years of honored service, which began at March Air Force Base, California, and ended at the Pentagon on the Air Force Inspector General's staff, I retired from the United States Air Force. During my 20-year career, I earned a number of military awards and decorations. Among them are a Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Services Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; US Army Commendation Medal; US Army Achievement Medal, and an Air Force Achievement Medal.
Class of 1970
Air Force, 20+ Years
In September of 1995, after twenty years of honored service, which began at March Air Force Base, California, and ended at the Pentagon on the Air Force Inspector General's staff, I retired from the United States Air Force. During my 20-year career, I earned a number of military awards and decorations. Among them are a Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Services Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; US Army Commendation Medal; US Army Achievement Medal, and an Air Force Achievement Medal.
Earl Taylor III
Class of 1970
Air Force, 20+ Years
Earl honorably served our country with over 30 years of service in the United States Air Force. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. His awards and commendations are too numerous to call.
Class of 1970
Air Force, 20+ Years
Earl honorably served our country with over 30 years of service in the United States Air Force. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. His awards and commendations are too numerous to call.
JAMES (Jim) Webber
Class of 1968
Air Force, 20+ Years
20+ years as a missile and space systems operations officer. Missile Combat Crew Instructor in both Minuteman I and Minuteman III nuclear ballistic missile systems as well as instructor in five space surveillance and early warning systems.
Class of 1968
Air Force, 20+ Years
20+ years as a missile and space systems operations officer. Missile Combat Crew Instructor in both Minuteman I and Minuteman III nuclear ballistic missile systems as well as instructor in five space surveillance and early warning systems.
James A Keene
Class of 1981
Air Force, 12 Years
B1-B/B2/B52-G Avionics Systems Craftsman
Class of 1981
Air Force, 12 Years
B1-B/B2/B52-G Avionics Systems Craftsman
James Dillon
Class of 1970
Army, 20+ Years
After getting kicked out of Texas A&M, Jim enlisted in 1972, advancing quickly through the ranks to SSG in '76, attended OCS in '79 and was cmmissioned as a 2LT. Retired in '95 as a Major. Awards include the Legion of Merit and 6 Meritorious Service Medals.
Class of 1970
Army, 20+ Years
After getting kicked out of Texas A&M, Jim enlisted in 1972, advancing quickly through the ranks to SSG in '76, attended OCS in '79 and was cmmissioned as a 2LT. Retired in '95 as a Major. Awards include the Legion of Merit and 6 Meritorious Service Medals.
Jeff Smith
Class of 1983
Coast Guard, 20+ Years
Service Dates: September 26, 1983 - October 1, 2007.
Class of 1983
Coast Guard, 20+ Years
Service Dates: September 26, 1983 - October 1, 2007.
John Burns
Class of 1962
Army, 7 Years
Kansas National Guard 1964 Mobilized to active duty 1968, deployed to Dt. Carson, Colo. 5th Infantry Divn. 1969 levied to 5th Infantry Divn. Quang Tri Vietnam. Back home in November 1969. SSG E-6.
Class of 1962
Army, 7 Years
Kansas National Guard 1964 Mobilized to active duty 1968, deployed to Dt. Carson, Colo. 5th Infantry Divn. 1969 levied to 5th Infantry Divn. Quang Tri Vietnam. Back home in November 1969. SSG E-6.
John T Wells
Class of 1959
Army, 25 Years
Platoon Leader & Asst S3: 1/2 Armored Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
Platoon Leader & Company Executive Officer: Company D/16 Armor, 173d Airborne Brigade (Vietnam)
Assistant S-3: 4th Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment (Ft Knox, KY)
Troop Commander: Troop D, 10th Cavalry Regiment (Ft Knox, KY)
Troop Commander & S3: 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam)
Assistant G-3 Plans Officer: 25th Infantry Division (Vietnam)
Executive Officer: Troop D (Air Cavalry), 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
S-3: 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
S-3: 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
US Army Combat Training Board (Ft Benning, GA)
Military Professional Development Team: West Point Study Group, ODCSPER, Department of the Army (Washington, DC)
Executive Officer: 4th Battalion, 69th Armor, 197th Infantry Brigade (Ft Benning, GA)
Army General Staff Officer: ODCSOPS, Department of the Army (Pentagon, Washington, DC)
Battalion Commander: 1st Battalion, 72d Armor Regiment (Korea)
Deputy Inspector General: Eighth US Army (Korea)
Executive Officer: ODCSOPS, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/US Forces Korea/Eighth US Army (Korea)
Assistant DCSOPS: Combined Field Army (Korea)
Chief, Manpower Division, Resource Management Directorate: US Forces Command (Ft McPherson, GA)
Silver Star
2 Legion of Merit
6 Bronze Star w/ "V" Device
Purple Heart
3 Meritorious Service Medal
5 Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal w/6 campaign stars
Korea Defense Service Medal
Korean Order of National Security, Sam-il Medal
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross w/Bronze Palm
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross w/Bronze Star
Vietnamese Campaign Medal
Parachutist Badge
Aviator Badge
Congressional Veteran Commendation: US house of Representatives, 118th Congress
Class of 1959
Army, 25 Years
Platoon Leader & Asst S3: 1/2 Armored Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
Platoon Leader & Company Executive Officer: Company D/16 Armor, 173d Airborne Brigade (Vietnam)
Assistant S-3: 4th Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment (Ft Knox, KY)
Troop Commander: Troop D, 10th Cavalry Regiment (Ft Knox, KY)
Troop Commander & S3: 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam)
Assistant G-3 Plans Officer: 25th Infantry Division (Vietnam)
Executive Officer: Troop D (Air Cavalry), 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
S-3: 2d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
S-3: 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment (Germany)
US Army Combat Training Board (Ft Benning, GA)
Military Professional Development Team: West Point Study Group, ODCSPER, Department of the Army (Washington, DC)
Executive Officer: 4th Battalion, 69th Armor, 197th Infantry Brigade (Ft Benning, GA)
Army General Staff Officer: ODCSOPS, Department of the Army (Pentagon, Washington, DC)
Battalion Commander: 1st Battalion, 72d Armor Regiment (Korea)
Deputy Inspector General: Eighth US Army (Korea)
Executive Officer: ODCSOPS, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/US Forces Korea/Eighth US Army (Korea)
Assistant DCSOPS: Combined Field Army (Korea)
Chief, Manpower Division, Resource Management Directorate: US Forces Command (Ft McPherson, GA)
Silver Star
2 Legion of Merit
6 Bronze Star w/ "V" Device
Purple Heart
3 Meritorious Service Medal
5 Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal w/6 campaign stars
Korea Defense Service Medal
Korean Order of National Security, Sam-il Medal
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross w/Bronze Palm
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross w/Bronze Star
Vietnamese Campaign Medal
Parachutist Badge
Aviator Badge
Congressional Veteran Commendation: US house of Representatives, 118th Congress
Joseph W. Brundy, III
Class of 1975
Army, 20+ Years
Served in the U.S. Army for 30 years. Retired in February, 2008 with the rank of Sergeant Major.
Inducted in the Leavenworth High School Military Hall of Fame in February, 2007.
Class of 1975
Army, 20+ Years
Served in the U.S. Army for 30 years. Retired in February, 2008 with the rank of Sergeant Major.
Inducted in the Leavenworth High School Military Hall of Fame in February, 2007.
Joshua burnett
Class of 2001
Army, 9 Years
Air Force then Army, still on active Duty
Class of 2001
Army, 9 Years
Air Force then Army, still on active Duty
Joshua Burnett
Class of 2001
Army, 7 Years
3 years Air Force (Explosives), Direct Transfer to Army in 2004, Army Network Security Analyst
Class of 2001
Army, 7 Years
3 years Air Force (Explosives), Direct Transfer to Army in 2004, Army Network Security Analyst
Juanita Brushwood-Imbrogno
Class of 1964
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired Air Force Tech seargent
Class of 1964
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired Air Force Tech seargent
Marvin Little
Class of 1967
Air Force, 20+ Years
MSgt, USAF, served in SE Asia '69-70, Iceland '72-73, Iceland '77-'78, S. Korea '86-'87, retired At Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX Sep '89, Worked Kerrville, TX VA Med Center Pharmacy Sep '89 & retired from VA May 2008.
Class of 1967
Air Force, 20+ Years
MSgt, USAF, served in SE Asia '69-70, Iceland '72-73, Iceland '77-'78, S. Korea '86-'87, retired At Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX Sep '89, Worked Kerrville, TX VA Med Center Pharmacy Sep '89 & retired from VA May 2008.
Michael David Penman
Class of 1974
Army, 3 Years
Stationed at Fort Hood and Fort Drum. Commendation for cleaning up the Three Mile Island Nuclear Disaster without protective gear. Department of Veterans Affairs finally acknowledged the exposure however he died on 9/6/2021 before a service connection determination was made. He was married to Nancy J. Thompson Class of '72 for 37 years.
Class of 1974
Army, 3 Years
Stationed at Fort Hood and Fort Drum. Commendation for cleaning up the Three Mile Island Nuclear Disaster without protective gear. Department of Veterans Affairs finally acknowledged the exposure however he died on 9/6/2021 before a service connection determination was made. He was married to Nancy J. Thompson Class of '72 for 37 years.
Nicole Bradley
Class of 1989
Navy, 20+ Years
Served from graduation 1989 until September 2012. Retired as e8. Senior chief pett officer. Still works for the navy in california.
Class of 1989
Navy, 20+ Years
Served from graduation 1989 until September 2012. Retired as e8. Senior chief pett officer. Still works for the navy in california.
Norma Jean Nixon
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
Retired in 2004 at the rank of Colonel.
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
Retired in 2004 at the rank of Colonel.
Ralph Fields
Class of 1956
Air Force, 20+ Years
Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence Manager.
Class of 1956
Air Force, 20+ Years
Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence Manager.
Raymond K. McDaniel
Class of 1948
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired in the grade of Colonel (O-6) 1981
Base Dental Surgeon Pleiku AB, RVN 1967-68
Chief, Oral Pathology Dept., Keesler AFB 1974-77 and Wilford Hall USAF Med Ctr 1977-81
Military Consultant in Oral Pathology to:
USAF Surgeon General 1979-81
Class of 1948
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired in the grade of Colonel (O-6) 1981
Base Dental Surgeon Pleiku AB, RVN 1967-68
Chief, Oral Pathology Dept., Keesler AFB 1974-77 and Wilford Hall USAF Med Ctr 1977-81
Military Consultant in Oral Pathology to:
USAF Surgeon General 1979-81
Rodney J CORDT
Class of 1974
Navy, 16 Years
After I received my BA degree from Concordia University – Nebraska, I attended Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) in Pensacola, FL, remember the movie “An Officer & a Gentleman”? After commissioning from AOCS, I married my “Debra Winger”, the former Victoria Thierfelder, before starting pilot flight training. My initial flight training was at NAS Corpus Christi, TX and I finished it up at NAS Whiting Field, FL, where I received my pilot’s Wings of Gold and started my career as a Naval Aviator. My first deployments were aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) and the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), while we were stationed in NAF Atsugi, Japan. My next deployments were aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), while we were stationed in NAS North Island, CA and we lived near the Top Gun school at NAS Miramar. My final deployments were aboard the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) during Desert Storm, while we stationed at NAS Jacksonville, FL. My last tour of duty was in Washington, D.C. at the Navy Recruiting Command.
During my career, I flew every model/version of the Sikorsky H-3 helicopter in the U.S. Naval inventory, including the former Presidential Helicopter VH-3A model currently on display at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. The attached photo is me in front of one of my beloved SH-3H aka Sea King helicopter during our transit of the Suez Canal.
I retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander and returned to Leavenworth, with my family, where we lived for six (6) years until Victoria was transferred to the Great State of Texas and I resumed my aviation career as a commercial helicopter pilot.
God Bless the U.S.A.
Class of 1974
Navy, 16 Years
After I received my BA degree from Concordia University – Nebraska, I attended Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) in Pensacola, FL, remember the movie “An Officer & a Gentleman”? After commissioning from AOCS, I married my “Debra Winger”, the former Victoria Thierfelder, before starting pilot flight training. My initial flight training was at NAS Corpus Christi, TX and I finished it up at NAS Whiting Field, FL, where I received my pilot’s Wings of Gold and started my career as a Naval Aviator. My first deployments were aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) and the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), while we were stationed in NAF Atsugi, Japan. My next deployments were aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), while we were stationed in NAS North Island, CA and we lived near the Top Gun school at NAS Miramar. My final deployments were aboard the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) during Desert Storm, while we stationed at NAS Jacksonville, FL. My last tour of duty was in Washington, D.C. at the Navy Recruiting Command.
During my career, I flew every model/version of the Sikorsky H-3 helicopter in the U.S. Naval inventory, including the former Presidential Helicopter VH-3A model currently on display at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. The attached photo is me in front of one of my beloved SH-3H aka Sea King helicopter during our transit of the Suez Canal.
I retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander and returned to Leavenworth, with my family, where we lived for six (6) years until Victoria was transferred to the Great State of Texas and I resumed my aviation career as a commercial helicopter pilot.
God Bless the U.S.A.
Shane Heath
Class of 1984
Navy, 10 Years
Served from 1988-1998. Served in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, & Restore Hope (Somalia) Served aboard 3 ships and was a Company Commander for 4 years
Class of 1984
Navy, 10 Years
Served from 1988-1998. Served in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, & Restore Hope (Somalia) Served aboard 3 ships and was a Company Commander for 4 years
Sherry (Whisler) Miller
Class of 1962
Army, 3 Years
Army Nurse 1965-67
Vietnam Veteran 1967
Class of 1962
Army, 3 Years
Army Nurse 1965-67
Vietnam Veteran 1967
Steven(Rickey) Fields
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
Retired Chief Warrant Officer
Served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Iraq
Currently employed as Defense Contractor with the Minister of Defense in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in SWA
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
Retired Chief Warrant Officer
Served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Iraq
Currently employed as Defense Contractor with the Minister of Defense in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in SWA
Terry (T.J.) Fields
Class of 1981
Air Force Reserves, 20+ Years
U.S. Air Force (AGR) retired - Life Support, Survival Technician, Information Systems Analyst Database Systems Engineer.
Class of 1981
Air Force Reserves, 20+ Years
U.S. Air Force (AGR) retired - Life Support, Survival Technician, Information Systems Analyst Database Systems Engineer.
Thomas Tabor
Class of 1995
Army, 17 Years
17 years and counting on Active Duty in Satellite Communications. Have had the opportunity to serve in Okinawa, Maryland, Kuwait, Colorado and Georgia!
Class of 1995
Army, 17 Years
17 years and counting on Active Duty in Satellite Communications. Have had the opportunity to serve in Okinawa, Maryland, Kuwait, Colorado and Georgia!
Alumni Stories
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School News
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Our Leavenworth High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Leavenworth High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Leavenworth are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!