Mike Vining
Updated: Wikipedia source
Mike Roger Vining (born August 12, 1950) is a retired sergeant major in the United States Army, who was one of the first members of Delta Force. He joined the Army in 1968, and served until 1999.
Infobox
Born
(1950-08-12) August 12, 1950 (age 75)Greenville, Michigan, U.S.
Branch
United States Army
Years of service
1968–1999
Rank
Sergeant major
Unit
99th Ordnance Detachment (EOD)Delta Force
Battles / wars
Vietnam War Operation Eagle Claw Operation Urgent Fury Gulf War
Awards
Legion of Merit Bronze Star
Alma mater
Excelsior University
Spouse
mw- Donna Ikenberry (m. 1999)
Children
2
Service years
1968–1999
Conflicts
Vietnam War Operation Eagle Claw Operation Urgent Fury Gulf War
Tables
· Awards and decorations
Badge
Badge
Badge
Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Basic Parachutist Badge with United States Army Special Operations Command background trimming
1st row
1st row
Badge
1st row
Combat Infantryman Badge
Legion of Merit
Combat Infantryman Badge
Bronze Star Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
2nd row
2nd row
Badge
2nd row
Combat Infantryman Badge
Meritorious Service Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Commendation Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Joint Service Achievement Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
3rd row
3rd row
Badge
3rd row
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Achievement Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Good Conduct Medal with 4 silver Good conduct loops
Combat Infantryman Badge
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star
Combat Infantryman Badge
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 Campaign star
4th row
4th row
Badge
4th row
Combat Infantryman Badge
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze Campaign stars
Combat Infantryman Badge
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 Campaign star
Combat Infantryman Badge
Humanitarian Service Medal with 1 Service Star
Combat Infantryman Badge
NCO Professional Development Ribbon with award numeral 4
5th row
5th row
Badge
5th row
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Service Ribbon
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Infantryman Badge
Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60-" clasp
Combat Infantryman Badge
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Badges
Badges
Badge
Badges
Combat Infantryman Badge
Military Freefall Parachutist Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge
| Badge | Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||||||||
| Badge | Basic Parachutist Badge with United States Army Special Operations Command background trimming | |||||||||||
| 1st row | Legion of Merit | Bronze Star Medal | Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
| 2nd row | Meritorious Service Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Army Commendation Medal | Joint Service Achievement Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster | ||||||||
| 3rd row | Army Achievement Medal | Army Good Conduct Medal with 4 silver Good conduct loops | National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 Campaign star | ||||||||
| 4th row | Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze Campaign stars | Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 Campaign star | Humanitarian Service Medal with 1 Service Star | NCO Professional Development Ribbon with award numeral 4 | ||||||||
| 5th row | Army Service Ribbon | Army Overseas Service Ribbon | Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60-" clasp | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | ||||||||
| Badges | Military Freefall Parachutist Badge | Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge | ||||||||||
References
- National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Associationhttps://nateoda.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SGM-Mike-R.-Vining-USA-Retired-NATEODA-Bio.pdf
- Shaping Opinionhttps://shapingopinion.com/encore-mike-vining-a-delta-force-original/
- Coffee or Diehttps://www.coffeeordie.com/article/living-legends
- goordnance.army.milhttps://web.archive.org/web/20211028061257/https://goordnance.army.mil/hof/2018/vining.html#:~:text=In%201978,%20SGM%20Vining%20volunteered,Operation%20Urgent%20Fury%20in%20Grenada.
- www.army.milhttps://www.army.mil/article/263293/retired_sergeant_major_paved_way_for_eod_technicians_in_elite_special_forces_unit
- War History Onlinehttps://www.warhistoryonline.com/vietnam-war/mike-vining.html
- USCShttps://uscs.org/vining-mike-r/
- We Are The Mightyhttps://www.wearethemighty.com/history/mike-vining-most-badass-meme/
- https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/mike-vining-most-badass-meme/https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/mike-vining-most-badass-meme/
- army.togetherweserved.comhttps://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ROHSBV&type=Person&ID=102761