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Vietnam Vet Dan Cheney at home in th4 Keys
Episode 3403 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Dan Cheney’s service to his country. The featured story is titled: Local Vietnam veteran Dan Cheney survived fireball explosion in combat. It appeared on the Keys News website.
It was reported that the story of Dan Cheney is a powerful example of the courage, determination, and greatness of our Vietnam Veterans. At just 19 years old, Dan answered America’s call to duty, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1968. After completing basic training at Fort Bragg and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, he deployed to Vietnam with the legendary 101st Airborne Division, 326th Engineer Battalion, serving near Hue at Camp Eagle and Phú Bài.
During the Vietnam War, Dan survived a terrifying fireball explosion that left him with second- and third-degree burns. After medical evacuation to Japan, his courage and commitment brought him back to Vietnam to complete his tour of duty. He later served in Germany with the 237th Engineer Company before receiving an Honorable Discharge as a Specialist Five (SP5) in 1974.
Dan’s service didn’t end with his military career. He built an extraordinary career in satellite communications and electronic engineering, supporting government agencies, INTELSAT, and MARISAT. His work took him across six continents and around the world 11 times, constructing essential satellite earth stations. In the Florida Keys, he supported military operations at Naval Air Station Key West, Boca Chica, Truman Annex, and the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) site in Cudjoe Key. He retired in 2016 after working with the famous Fat Albert radar balloon.
Dan also dedicated years to fellow veterans as Judge Advocate for VFW Post 3911. After a 50-year journey, he finally secured his VA disability rating for injuries sustained during the Vietnam War, crediting the Monroe County Office of Veterans Affairs and Key West VA Medical Clinic.
Dan Cheney represents the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran generation. His story reminds us that courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and service do not end when a soldier comes home. We salute Dan and ALL our Vietnam Veterans, whose dedication and sacrifices deserve lasting recognition, honor, and respect.
Listen to episode 3403 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Dan Cheney’s service to his country.
