Week of the Eagles

Ft Campbell, Ky

May 2023

 

Bust given to the Modern Day Lancers

 

A statue of a person wearing a hat Description automatically generated with low confidence  A couple of men standing next to each other Description automatically generated with low confidence


From Lt Joshua Elliott, Lancer 26

 

CPL Frank received the 1st Ever Lancer Crew Chief of the Quarter Award on 19 MAY 23 for excellence as a crew chief and for really stepping into his place as an NCO. This award embodies the living history and excellence of The Lancers past, present, and future with a Statue of a Vietnam Aviator gifted by Vietnam Lancer CW2 Dana Lane.

 

Mr. Lane exemplified resilience to never give up in the defining days of the Lancers flying Hueys in the jungles of Southeast Asia. CW2 Lane was shot down the first time in Laos on his very first combat mission Lam Son 719 on 04 MAR 71 (4th flight in country) within two weeks arrival to Vietnam. He was shot down a second time by an RPG during a landing and wounded by AK fire on 05 OCT 71 while supporting a SOF infill. Both times he was extracted from a hot LZ. This statue represents of all that the Lancers did in Vietnam, all who flew, all who maintained, all who door-gunned, all those carried to and from battle, all the life-giving supplies delivered just in time, the heroes lost, the heroes rescued, and all the heroes that had, have, and will have the honor and privilege to wear a Lancer Patch. AIRMOBILE!!!

 

Peter Lane created this bust while in college.

 

Peter wanted to be a helicopter pilot.  It was not in the cards for him.  Art was his new release.   Each person in the art class had to create something with emotion and feeling.

His professor said he didn't think it would work.   After it came out of the mold, the whole class and the professor were amazed.   

 

The material for the bust was poured into the upside-down mold.   It had a little bubble inside the mold.   When the mold was removed, it looked like a tear coming out from under the visor.   Look to the right of his nose.  It was meant to be.  Peter got an A+ and the bust was placed in the university art gallery for quite a while before he gave it to me.

 

The bust had special lighting.  Viewing the bust caused all kinds of feelings.  Some thought it was creepy, menacing, or mournful.  He was told that some veterans came by and shed a tear.  Wives would come up and thank me. 

Peter said the helmet is Vietnam era, the gold visor represented the precious lives lost, the black represented the soot ashes of memories and the machine gun belt represented war.   

 

When the bust came out of the art gallery, Peter gave it to me.  I owned it for about 40 years. 

 

Peter Lane and I are glad it is going to a home that past, present and future pilots, crew chiefs and maintenance will be able to enjoy!


The crew chief standing next to me got the honor of being the first Crew Chief of the Quarter.   He was totally surprised!  

CW2 Dana Lane
Lancer 55, pilot
Mar 1, 1971 to Dec 8, 1971