East High School Alumni
Des Moines, Iowa (IA)
Recent Members
| Alexandria Alexandria Osborne | 2007 |
| Don Keith | 1964 |
| Esther Van Gundy | 1993 |
| Hailey Elliott | 2020 |
| Hannah Kilby | 2008 |
| Paul Darby Sanford Sanford | 1976 |
| Ron Grayson | 2024 |
| Sue Johnson | 1985 |
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 East High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Scarlets lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Bob Colby
Class of 1969
Army, 20+ Years
82nd Aiborne Division, Drill Sergeant, E Troop 1st Cav, ROTC Detachment Sergeant Major.
Class of 1969
Army, 20+ Years
82nd Aiborne Division, Drill Sergeant, E Troop 1st Cav, ROTC Detachment Sergeant Major.
Cal Guye
Class of 1952
Air Force, 20 Years
Maintain Aircraft Inertial , Doppler, Stellar, Navigation Computers aboard B-52 and KC-135 aircraft. I spent a year in Vietnam at the Air base in Saigon. I was awarded the Air Force Commendation and the Bronze Star and other awards and decorations.
Class of 1952
Air Force, 20 Years
Maintain Aircraft Inertial , Doppler, Stellar, Navigation Computers aboard B-52 and KC-135 aircraft. I spent a year in Vietnam at the Air base in Saigon. I was awarded the Air Force Commendation and the Bronze Star and other awards and decorations.
Colin Cunningham
Class of 1971
Air Force, 37 Years
Went through Air Force Basic Training July 1971. Worked full time at the 132FW Iowa Air National Guard Base in Aircraft Maintenance for 37 years. Did Northern and Southern No-Fly zones over Iraq and deployed to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Retired 31 December 2008.
Class of 1971
Air Force, 37 Years
Went through Air Force Basic Training July 1971. Worked full time at the 132FW Iowa Air National Guard Base in Aircraft Maintenance for 37 years. Did Northern and Southern No-Fly zones over Iraq and deployed to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Retired 31 December 2008.
Forest D. Van Loon
Class of 1961
Air Force, 5 Years
Okinawa, Sacramento, CA. Also 10 years in Coast Guard Auxiliary, Gulf Coast
Class of 1961
Air Force, 5 Years
Okinawa, Sacramento, CA. Also 10 years in Coast Guard Auxiliary, Gulf Coast
Francis Picray
Class of 1965
Navy, 20+ Years
6 years in the USNavy, Engineman, boat engineer,18 months in Viet Nam. 23 years in the USArmy Reserve. Aviation mechanic, crewchief, intelligence NCO, career councelor, combat engineer platoon sargent, instructor, retired master sargent 29 years service.
Class of 1965
Navy, 20+ Years
6 years in the USNavy, Engineman, boat engineer,18 months in Viet Nam. 23 years in the USArmy Reserve. Aviation mechanic, crewchief, intelligence NCO, career councelor, combat engineer platoon sargent, instructor, retired master sargent 29 years service.
Gordon Caylor
Class of 1967
Navy, 20+ Years
Enlisted 1968 and served in submarines through 1975. Re-entered Navy in 1980, commissioned and served in submarines riding US, Japanese, and Australian submarines until 2000. Managed Naval intelligence programs -- equipment and personnel -- in the Pacific theatre between 1984 and 2000. Retired and worked as civilian defense contractor between US government interests and Asian allies.
Class of 1967
Navy, 20+ Years
Enlisted 1968 and served in submarines through 1975. Re-entered Navy in 1980, commissioned and served in submarines riding US, Japanese, and Australian submarines until 2000. Managed Naval intelligence programs -- equipment and personnel -- in the Pacific theatre between 1984 and 2000. Retired and worked as civilian defense contractor between US government interests and Asian allies.
Herk Campbell
Class of 1952
Air Force, 11 Years
4 years active, 71/2 years with Air National Guard
Class of 1952
Air Force, 11 Years
4 years active, 71/2 years with Air National Guard
Irwin H. Collier Jr.
Class of 1978
Marine Corps, 13 Years
Proudly served my country and represented the flavor of Iowa to the world for thirteen year of honorable service. Semper Fi!!!
Class of 1978
Marine Corps, 13 Years
Proudly served my country and represented the flavor of Iowa to the world for thirteen year of honorable service. Semper Fi!!!
Jerry Le Grand
Class of 1966
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Entered the Marine Corps after finishing electronics school in West Des Moines. Served in Viet Nam 1969-70. Aviation Electronics Technician supporting F-4 Phantom jets.
Class of 1966
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Entered the Marine Corps after finishing electronics school in West Des Moines. Served in Viet Nam 1969-70. Aviation Electronics Technician supporting F-4 Phantom jets.
Jerry Ruttenburg
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Enlisted in Marine Corps Oct. 1963, discharged in Oct. 1966 combat engineer. Joined Iowa Air National Guard 1967 and Discharged 1969 Air Police.
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Enlisted in Marine Corps Oct. 1963, discharged in Oct. 1966 combat engineer. Joined Iowa Air National Guard 1967 and Discharged 1969 Air Police.
Jerry Ruttenburg
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 3 Years
1963-1966 MOS 1341 Engineer Equipment
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 3 Years
1963-1966 MOS 1341 Engineer Equipment
John Jewett
Class of 1984
Army, 20+ Years
Retired as a Human Resource Manager after 20 yrs 1 Combat tour and 14 of 20 years spent at Pentagon, Wash DC
Class of 1984
Army, 20+ Years
Retired as a Human Resource Manager after 20 yrs 1 Combat tour and 14 of 20 years spent at Pentagon, Wash DC
Lynell Stender Nicholson
Class of 1970
Navy, 4 Years
I was a corpman for the most part of my Navy catrrier
Class of 1970
Navy, 4 Years
I was a corpman for the most part of my Navy catrrier
Margaret Hedges Gaukler
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Served as a baker and admin clerk. Only duty station - Hawaii
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Served as a baker and admin clerk. Only duty station - Hawaii
Mark Ford
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served from 1976 - 1996. Campaign badges for Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Provide Comfort.
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served from 1976 - 1996. Campaign badges for Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Provide Comfort.
Michael Knapp
Class of 1992
Air Force, 19 Years
19-year Airborne Linguist fluent in Arabic. 6000+ flight hours, 5000 combat time. Has spent 1400+ days on the ground in the Middle East. Currently Stationed in Okinawa Japan - next Assignment...heading to the Pentagon.
Class of 1992
Air Force, 19 Years
19-year Airborne Linguist fluent in Arabic. 6000+ flight hours, 5000 combat time. Has spent 1400+ days on the ground in the Middle East. Currently Stationed in Okinawa Japan - next Assignment...heading to the Pentagon.
Mike Leete
Class of 1974
Navy, 11 Years
Nuclear Machinist mate MM1 (submarines). Two SSN 637 class tours out of Norfolk and a tour of duty as an instructor at a nuclear prototype in NY.
Class of 1974
Navy, 11 Years
Nuclear Machinist mate MM1 (submarines). Two SSN 637 class tours out of Norfolk and a tour of duty as an instructor at a nuclear prototype in NY.
Randy Greenwood
Class of 1978
National Guard, 20+ Years
All years in the Iowa Air National Guard serving as aircraft mechanic enlisted, and after commissioning in 1991 served as communications, logistics and maintenance Officer. 3 times deployed for operation southern and northern watch no fly zones and once for Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
Class of 1978
National Guard, 20+ Years
All years in the Iowa Air National Guard serving as aircraft mechanic enlisted, and after commissioning in 1991 served as communications, logistics and maintenance Officer. 3 times deployed for operation southern and northern watch no fly zones and once for Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
Richard Epps
Class of 1973
Army, 20+ Years
Field Artillery! Last Combat Assignment: Brigade Operation Sergeant Major for the 196th FA Brigade in Iraq. Last Assignment: Field Artillery Trainer for National Guard and Reserve Units in TN, AL, and MS. Served Overseas in Korea, Germany, and Iraq, Served Stateside at Ft. Ord, Ft. Carson, and Ft. Campbell.
Class of 1973
Army, 20+ Years
Field Artillery! Last Combat Assignment: Brigade Operation Sergeant Major for the 196th FA Brigade in Iraq. Last Assignment: Field Artillery Trainer for National Guard and Reserve Units in TN, AL, and MS. Served Overseas in Korea, Germany, and Iraq, Served Stateside at Ft. Ord, Ft. Carson, and Ft. Campbell.
Rick Sharon
Class of 1976
Air Force, 20+ Years
Proudly served at various locations in the United States and Overseas.
Class of 1976
Air Force, 20+ Years
Proudly served at various locations in the United States and Overseas.
Robert R. Weinheimer
Class of 1948
Army, 3 Years
Korean Conflict, Combat Infantry medal
Class of 1948
Army, 3 Years
Korean Conflict, Combat Infantry medal
Rolland Clark Nauman
Class of 1954
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Served in Marine Corps active duty and reserves for 30 years. Retired as Chief Warrant Officer.
Class of 1954
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Served in Marine Corps active duty and reserves for 30 years. Retired as Chief Warrant Officer.
Steve Cox
Class of 1966
Marine Corps, 7 Years
Enlisted late in 1967. Promoted to officer rank the following year. Served in Vietnam 1969-70. Honorably discharged as a 1stLt.
Class of 1966
Marine Corps, 7 Years
Enlisted late in 1967. Promoted to officer rank the following year. Served in Vietnam 1969-70. Honorably discharged as a 1stLt.
William "Bill" Gerhart
Class of 1967
Navy, 20+ Years
Joined the Navy in 1965. Made CTRCM (E-9) and then became an officer. My last tour was Commanding Officer, Naval Security Station, Washington, DC. I retired as a Commander (O-5). I served in Vietnam and also support operations in Iraq.
Class of 1967
Navy, 20+ Years
Joined the Navy in 1965. Made CTRCM (E-9) and then became an officer. My last tour was Commanding Officer, Naval Security Station, Washington, DC. I retired as a Commander (O-5). I served in Vietnam and also support operations in Iraq.
William Gerhart
Class of 1966
Navy, 20+ Years
1965-1995. CTRCM (E-9) Retired as Commander (O-5). Served in Vietnam and Iraq. Last tour was as Commanding Officer, Naval Security Station, Washington, DC
Class of 1966
Navy, 20+ Years
1965-1995. CTRCM (E-9) Retired as Commander (O-5). Served in Vietnam and Iraq. Last tour was as Commanding Officer, Naval Security Station, Washington, DC
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from East High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Scarlets.
School News
Williams Stadium Press Box
We have the original Williams Stadium Press Box if anyone in your alumni group is interested. You can email us at iwltd@...
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Our East 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 East High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Des Moines are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!