Tribute to Jack Lanzer
Written by Glyn Haynie
Written by Glyn Haynie
I only knew Jack briefly, about 4 months; and I am glad I did. Jack had red hair and not a big man but had a quick mischievous smile and always willing to share some of his New York stories. Jack never said but left the impression that he had two choices before coming to Vietnam, jail or US Army. Now if that is true we will never know but Jack never seemed to be of the criminal type.
Jack was quite the story teller and his best story was about a bone. He wore a bone around his neck and every FNG that came into the platoon Jack made a point to tell him how and where he got it from and why he wears it. He called it his good luck charm. You could see from the look in the FNG eyes and knew exactly what story Jack was telling him. After you knew Jack you did not believe his story but you would always pretend that you did when talking with him.
Jack wore a huge Bowie knife that fit in a sheath that he wore on his right hip. Jack claimed that the knife came to Vietnam with an original platoon member from Hawaii. When jack was getting short he called me over and said I have something for you and then handed me the knife. Jack said that the knife was special and is passed on to special soldiers. I really felt honored to receive the knife from Jack and told him I would take care of it and pass it on. The next day Jack got on the supply chopper and flew back to Duc Pho. That was the last time I saw him.
I passed the Bowie knife on to Bill Davenport in December 1969. Bill was a special soldier and I hope Jack approved.
Jack you will always be remembered and I am sorry I did not look for you earlier.
Jack was quite the story teller and his best story was about a bone. He wore a bone around his neck and every FNG that came into the platoon Jack made a point to tell him how and where he got it from and why he wears it. He called it his good luck charm. You could see from the look in the FNG eyes and knew exactly what story Jack was telling him. After you knew Jack you did not believe his story but you would always pretend that you did when talking with him.
Jack wore a huge Bowie knife that fit in a sheath that he wore on his right hip. Jack claimed that the knife came to Vietnam with an original platoon member from Hawaii. When jack was getting short he called me over and said I have something for you and then handed me the knife. Jack said that the knife was special and is passed on to special soldiers. I really felt honored to receive the knife from Jack and told him I would take care of it and pass it on. The next day Jack got on the supply chopper and flew back to Duc Pho. That was the last time I saw him.
I passed the Bowie knife on to Bill Davenport in December 1969. Bill was a special soldier and I hope Jack approved.
Jack you will always be remembered and I am sorry I did not look for you earlier.