LT COLONEL DANNY B BEMENT – CLASS OF 1966
LT COLONEL DANNY B BEMENT – CLASS OF 1966
Bement, Danny B., LTC (Ret.) of Portage, Michigan
LTC Danny B. Bement received his Regular Army Commission in 1966 as a Distinguish Military Graduate. He earned his B.S (1966) and M.A. (1976) degrees from Western Michigan University.
Ten days after graduation, LTC Bement began the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation, his first assignment was to Company A, 4th Battalion, 18th U.S. Infantry, Berlin Brigade in West Berlin Germany. During this posting LTC Bement served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader, Battalion S-3 Air, and Company Commander.
After this assignment, LTC Bement was selected to attend the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and later to Fort Bliss, Texas, to finish language training. LTC Bement graduated with the top 10 officers out of a class of approximately 300. Upon graduation, LTC Bement was assigned as the Senior Battalion Advisor to the 3rd Battalion, 45 Regiment, 23rd Infantry Division (ARVN) located in the central highlands of the Republic of South Vietnam. LTC Bement held this position as a Captain. During the last 30 days of his tour, LTC Bement was reassigned to the G-3, 23rd Infantry Division (ARVN) as an Operations Officer.
After his tour in Vietnam, LTC Bement left active service and served in the United States Army Reserve and the Michigan Army National Guard. LTC Bement’s initial assignment was Commander, Co A, 1st Battalion, 246 Armor, 46 Infantry Brigade. After promotion, LTC Bement was assigned as the S-3, 246th Armor Battalion, 46 Infantry Brigade. LTC Bement, for a brief period, served as an Instructor at the Michigan Military Academy prior to assignment as the S-2, 46th Infantry Brigade. Additional assignments included Operations Section Chief, U.S. Marine Corps Training Assistance Command at Fort Custer, Michigan; Military Admissions Liaison Officer, (MALO) United States Military Academy (West Point); Deputy/ Acting Chief of Staff, 85th Division (Maneuver Exercise Command (MEC), Ford Sheridan, Illinois. He was selected by the Commanding General, 4th US Army. LTC Bement retired as the Branch Chief, Battalion-Brigade Computer Simulation Center, 85th Division Maneuver Exercise Command.
LTC Bement has been awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal with numeral 1, five Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver service star, Gallantry Cross with Silver Star (ARVN), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with/device, Army of Occupation Of West Berlin, Germany Medal WW2, Presidential Unit Citation West Berlin Brigade, Legion of Merit Medal State of Michigan, Broad Sword Medal State of Michigan, along with other awards and decorations.
LTC Bement is a native of Dowagiac, Michigan. He has a daughter Monica, two granddaughters Felecia and Lauren, and a grandson Brian. LTC Bement lives in Portage, Michigan.