El Capitan High School Alumni
Lakeside, California (CA)

Recent Members
Alexia Nguyen | 2018 |
Brienna Pies | 2015 |
Cora Weiss | 2021 |
Elizabeth Bremner | 2006 |
Jessica Townley | 1970 |
John Kyle Angcao John Kyle Angcao | 2022 |
Juanita Grey | 1961 |
Maria S | 2008 |
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 El Capitan High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Vaqueros lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni

Ampy Buchholz
Class of 1982
Marine Corps, 4 Years
After graduation I found myself standing on the yellow footprints at MCRD. I spent my time in the USMC working in Avionics for A-6E/EA-6B aircraft. It was a good learning experience and while I found it worthwhile,
Class of 1982
Marine Corps, 4 Years
After graduation I found myself standing on the yellow footprints at MCRD. I spent my time in the USMC working in Avionics for A-6E/EA-6B aircraft. It was a good learning experience and while I found it worthwhile,

Ann Marie Thogmartin-Claret
Class of 1980
Air Force, 5 Years
From High School I was assigned to McGuire AFB after basic training at Lackland AFB, I then got sent to Osan AFB in Korea for 1 year and back to Travis AFB in Sacramento. I was an Air Passenger Specialist. Very proud to have served my country.
Class of 1980
Air Force, 5 Years
From High School I was assigned to McGuire AFB after basic training at Lackland AFB, I then got sent to Osan AFB in Korea for 1 year and back to Travis AFB in Sacramento. I was an Air Passenger Specialist. Very proud to have served my country.


Charlie Haskell
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Vietnam from 66 to 68 A battery 6 of the 27th field artillery gun number one. halfway that Tour I switch in the mess hall as a cook
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Vietnam from 66 to 68 A battery 6 of the 27th field artillery gun number one. halfway that Tour I switch in the mess hall as a cook

Christine M. Wilson=Strickler
Class of 1977
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
I have served since 1981 and have been to Germany, Korea, Iraq and numerous assignments state side. I am currently a supply sergeant and instructor for transportation.
Class of 1977
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
I have served since 1981 and have been to Germany, Korea, Iraq and numerous assignments state side. I am currently a supply sergeant and instructor for transportation.

David Moser
Class of 1964
Marine Corps, 21 Years
Service WestPac-Vietnam Vet. Stateside DI MCRD, El Toro, Yuma, Camp Pendleton
Class of 1964
Marine Corps, 21 Years
Service WestPac-Vietnam Vet. Stateside DI MCRD, El Toro, Yuma, Camp Pendleton

david r woods
Class of 1969
Air Force, 6 Years
special ops for 6 years then went into the army for 10 year in the securityintel unit at mchord and fort lewis
Class of 1969
Air Force, 6 Years
special ops for 6 years then went into the army for 10 year in the securityintel unit at mchord and fort lewis

Dennis R Snyder
Class of 1962
Air Force, 4 Years
Served '65-'68 (lucked out 4 mos. early) - Spent yr in electronics school to learn F-106 avionics. Lucky again was assigned mock-up (inside duty) to diagnose and fix black boxes. Stationed at Lowery, George, McChord, Naha, and Osan.
Class of 1962
Air Force, 4 Years
Served '65-'68 (lucked out 4 mos. early) - Spent yr in electronics school to learn F-106 avionics. Lucky again was assigned mock-up (inside duty) to diagnose and fix black boxes. Stationed at Lowery, George, McChord, Naha, and Osan.

Jim Conner
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Enlisted in Jan 63. Went on active duty 10 days after graduation. 10 years enlisted attaining rank of Gunnery Sergeant.. Commissioned as a Warrent Officer in 1973. 2 tours in Vietnam. First tour infantry, second tour in a helocopter squadron. Retired a Major in 1983.
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Enlisted in Jan 63. Went on active duty 10 days after graduation. 10 years enlisted attaining rank of Gunnery Sergeant.. Commissioned as a Warrent Officer in 1973. 2 tours in Vietnam. First tour infantry, second tour in a helocopter squadron. Retired a Major in 1983.

Jon Logan
Class of 1968
Army, 3 Years
Army Helicopter Pilot, Viet Nam - 1969-70
190th Assault Helicopter Company
1st Aviation Brigade
Class of 1968
Army, 3 Years
Army Helicopter Pilot, Viet Nam - 1969-70
190th Assault Helicopter Company
1st Aviation Brigade

Jonathon Logan
Class of 1968
Army, 3 Years
Warrant Officer Helicopter Pilot - Viet Nam. Flew helicopters supporting grounds troops in combat. Twice awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, 34 Air Medals, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Class of 1968
Army, 3 Years
Warrant Officer Helicopter Pilot - Viet Nam. Flew helicopters supporting grounds troops in combat. Twice awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, 34 Air Medals, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Kevin Bunn
Class of 1972
Air Force, 6 Years
Active Duty in Civil Engineering at Loring AFB, Caribou, ME from April 1973 to March 1974. Transferred to CA Air National Guard, 163rd Civil Engineering until discharge in November 1979.
Class of 1972
Air Force, 6 Years
Active Duty in Civil Engineering at Loring AFB, Caribou, ME from April 1973 to March 1974. Transferred to CA Air National Guard, 163rd Civil Engineering until discharge in November 1979.

michael arnke
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Vietnam Era. Assigned to Ist Inf Div. 1967&1968 Path finder, Armor Scout (M-88 crew after TET offensive) Clean up Base Camp Lai Khe Fire Base Loc Ninh, Claymore corners
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Vietnam Era. Assigned to Ist Inf Div. 1967&1968 Path finder, Armor Scout (M-88 crew after TET offensive) Clean up Base Camp Lai Khe Fire Base Loc Ninh, Claymore corners

michael arnke
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
1966 Basic Ft Ord, Advanced Ft Polk, Special Training: Bad Tolz Gerrmany NCO Academy, Ft Benning GA Path Finder School, Combat leader, Artillery co ordination, Air Strikes, Armor Scout.
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
1966 Basic Ft Ord, Advanced Ft Polk, Special Training: Bad Tolz Gerrmany NCO Academy, Ft Benning GA Path Finder School, Combat leader, Artillery co ordination, Air Strikes, Armor Scout.

Mike Chapin
Class of 1966
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Electronics Instructor at Aviation Radio Repair Course, Communications and Electronics Battalion, MCRD San Diego. Sergeant E-5, Honorable Discharge
Class of 1966
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Electronics Instructor at Aviation Radio Repair Course, Communications and Electronics Battalion, MCRD San Diego. Sergeant E-5, Honorable Discharge

Robert Shaner
Class of 1965
Air Force, 4 Years
SSgt on B-52's and KC 135's. Went to many different bases, loved it.
Class of 1965
Air Force, 4 Years
SSgt on B-52's and KC 135's. Went to many different bases, loved it.

Robert W. Conen Jr
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Enlisted in August 1968 and sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for Basic and AIT. Spent two years there as Personnel Records Specialist, released from active duty as an SP5, E-5.
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Enlisted in August 1968 and sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for Basic and AIT. Spent two years there as Personnel Records Specialist, released from active duty as an SP5, E-5.

Terry Nore
Class of 1973
Air Force, 20+ Years
Crew Chief for C-130 aircraft then Disaster Preparedness (Emergency Management). Stationed in Albuquerque, NM (twice), Germany, Nevada, Florida, and Turkey during the Persion Gulf War.
Class of 1973
Air Force, 20+ Years
Crew Chief for C-130 aircraft then Disaster Preparedness (Emergency Management). Stationed in Albuquerque, NM (twice), Germany, Nevada, Florida, and Turkey during the Persion Gulf War.

Terry Reid Wagner
Class of 1963
Air Force, 20+ Years
Did a little of everything from clerk, loadmaster, postmaster, intelligence to Inspecter General staff.
Class of 1963
Air Force, 20+ Years
Did a little of everything from clerk, loadmaster, postmaster, intelligence to Inspecter General staff.

Tom Cook
Class of 1963
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served as medic on air rescue became physician assistant
Class of 1963
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served as medic on air rescue became physician assistant

vic block
Class of 1963
Air Force, 20+ Years
All the way from Vietnam to Iceland to Germany and the Rebel south. Went to Lousiana Tech University. Worked as a photo specialist and crossed into nuclear weapons. I've had a great life traveling and seeing the world. I got to fly a A-37 fighter jet. WOW, was that cool.
Class of 1963
Air Force, 20+ Years
All the way from Vietnam to Iceland to Germany and the Rebel south. Went to Lousiana Tech University. Worked as a photo specialist and crossed into nuclear weapons. I've had a great life traveling and seeing the world. I got to fly a A-37 fighter jet. WOW, was that cool.

Vincent Presley GM1 (ret)
Class of 1973
Coast Guard, 20+ Years
Served from 79 to 99. Was a Gunner's Mate 1st Class when I retired. Went to the Persian Gulf in 98 on the Coast Guard Cutter Chase, the first Coast Guard ship to go to the Persian Gulf. Did 20 then out.
Class of 1973
Coast Guard, 20+ Years
Served from 79 to 99. Was a Gunner's Mate 1st Class when I retired. Went to the Persian Gulf in 98 on the Coast Guard Cutter Chase, the first Coast Guard ship to go to the Persian Gulf. Did 20 then out.

Virginia Lee Payne
Class of 1965
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
Navy during Vietnam War, then 20+ years on reserve and active duty in Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Retired as Major, Ordnance Corps
Class of 1965
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
Navy during Vietnam War, then 20+ years on reserve and active duty in Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Retired as Major, Ordnance Corps

Walter Norris. ‘Skip’
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 2 Years
MCRD San Diego,Ca. Vietnam ‘66-‘67
Lima 3/7
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 2 Years
MCRD San Diego,Ca. Vietnam ‘66-‘67
Lima 3/7

Walter “Skip” Norris
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 2 Years
Viet Nam L/3/7 March1966 to April 1967
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 2 Years
Viet Nam L/3/7 March1966 to April 1967

Walter “Skip” Norris
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Viet Nam 1966- 1967
Lima Company 3rd Battalion 7th Marines
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Viet Nam 1966- 1967
Lima Company 3rd Battalion 7th Marines
Alumni Stories

Read and submit stories about our classmates from El Capitan High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Vaqueros.
School News
Jerry Lipetzky obituary
Jerry's memorial service will be at noon on October 2nd at El Monte Park, area 4, in Lakeside, California.
Read More »
Our El Capitan 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 El Capitan High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Lakeside are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!