Fully retired. Keeping busy with writing, hiking, backpacking, rock and mountain climbing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and alpine and backcountry skiing.
Questions That People Have Asked:
Why is my Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Badge placed below my jump wings in my retirement photo taken in November 1998? From the period when the EOD Badges were first authorized for wear in 1956 until 2005, the EOD Badges were placed in Special Skill Group 5. AR 670-1, dated 3 February 2005, now lists the EOD Badges in Special Skill Group 3, above the Parachutist Badge and the HALO Badge in Special Skills Group 4. This is where it should have been all along.
How was I awarded the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) for Operation URGENT FURY when I was EOD (at that time MOS 55D). Although my primary MOS was 55D, I was in an Infantry duty MOS 11B billet. Today, the enlisted Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code for EOD is 89D. That change took place on 1 January 2005.
When and why did I transfer from EOD to Infantry MOS? As soon as I was promoted to Master Sergeant in the EOD MOS, I changed my MOS to Infantry on 11 July 1988 (19 years in EOD). I felt because of my duty assignments and ten years in 1st SFOD-D, I would be more competitive for Sergeant Major in the Infantry field. My duties in 1st SFOD-D and later JSOC were not affected by the change. This decision proved correct.
For my combat patch, Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) that I wore on my right shoulder, I chose the United States Army, Vietnam (USARV) patch.
As for headgear, I wore a green beret with a U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) flash. The USASOC Distinguished Unit Insignia (DUI) is centered on the flash. Although I went through the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (Airborne) Assessment and Selection Course and the complete Operator Training course, I was not Special Forces qualified, but I was airborne qualified.
The badge that I am wearing above my right breast pocket of my jacket is the Austrian (Österreich) Police Gendarmerie High Alpinists “Polizei Gendarmerie Hochalpinist” Badge (Abzeichen). I and five others from Delta trained with the Austrian GEK (Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando) Cobra on their ski mountaineering training course from 12 to 28 May 1984. We climbed and skied in the Glockner Group in the Austrian high (Hohe) Tauern. In 2002, GEK's name was changed to EKO (Einsatzkommando). The badge was presented by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior on 28 May 1984. Under the provisions of Chapter 7, AR 672-5-1, and Public Law 95-105, Foreign Relations Authorization Act, I was authorized to accept and wear the badge. AR 670-1 permits the permanent wearing of one foreign badge. The order authorizing me to wear the badge is a DAPC-PDA order dated 12 March 1987.
My Army dress uniform is now on display at the U.S. Army Ordnance Training Support Facility (OTSF) at Fort Gregg-Adams (formerly Fort Lee), Virginia.
The photos on the internet that identify me as being on General H. Norman Schwarzhopf, Jr., security detail during Operation DESERT STORM is not me. It is William F. "Bill" Cronin III, a friend and co-worker in Delta. I did not do any personal security during my time in Delta. I did conduct security/survivability assessments within the United States and world-wide during my time in Delta. My assignment during Operation DESERT STORM was the assault on Taji #2, the two-story cut-and-cover Iraqi Command and Control (C2) facility located approximately 15 nautical miles northwest of Baghdad. The Air Force had dropped 60 2,000-pound BLU-109/B on it without damaging it. We were to breach it and destroy it in a ground attack. On the last day of the war, it was partially taken out by the newly developed 4,700-pound GBU-28/B. During Operation DESERT STORM I was located in Ar'ar, Saudi Arabia.
My interests are spelunking, rock climbing, and mountaineering. During my time on active-duty I was a professional member of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), American Alpine Club (AAC), and the National Speleological Society (NSS). I was also nationally registered as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). I first learned to rock climb in 1967, when I attended Exum Mountaineering School at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Other Comments:
Recipient of The Order of 1st SFOD-D - Delta Colors, Serial Number 123, on 19 October 1995, for singularly exemplary contributions to 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (Airborne). Graduate of Operator Training Course -1 (OTC-1). In Delta, I served as an Operator, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, Master Breacher, Climbing Instructor, and Mountain Guide. Assistant Historian for the National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Association (NATEODA). Assist the EOD Warrior Foundation with historical EOD research. Received the 2013 Art Macksey Citizenship Award presented by the Vietnam EOD Veterans Association. Inducted into the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame, Class of 2018.
Family:
Married to Donna L. Ikenberry, a freelance photojournalist. We have two daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The oldest two grandchildren had served in the U.S. Navy. We currently have one grandson in the U.S. Army. On 1 June 2018, Donna was awarded the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps "Keeper of the Flame" award.
Interviews: I have given several podcast interviews; BBC Radio 4, Hazard Ground, SOFREP Radio, The After Action Review,The Team House, Shaping Opinion, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warrior Foundation (EODWF), American Warrior Radio, Late Night History, The Blue Falcon Broadcast, The Reconnaissance Cast, D.B. Cooper Vortex, and Mother of Tanks.
Ten years after Operation EAGLE CLAW, the Iran Hostage Rescue Mission was declassified. The mission took place from 24-25 April 1980. From 13 October 1992 to 29 April 1993, I was part of USSOCOM Special Operations Forces Strategic Potential briefings under General Carl Stiner. Twenty some special operations personnel and I went around the country giving this presentation to the civilian populace. John T. Carney, Jr., USAF George C. Ferkes, USAF and I gave the Iran Hostage Rescue Mission portion of the presentation.
I gave an audio BBC Radio4 interview on Operation EAGLE CLAW. In the photo on the website we are debarking from a C-141 at Wadi Kena, Egypt following the rescue attempt. I am the person in the photo on the far right.
I gave two audio podcast interviews for Hazard Ground. Hazard Ground is a free military oral history website on iTunes. Service members from across the military share their accounts of combat and survival. The program is hosted by sports talk radio host and Army veteran, Mark Zinno and Producer Matthew Pascarella. This podcast brings inspirational stories of service and resiliency from those who have fought on and off the battlefield.
The main subject I was asked to talk about on 26 February 2018 was Operation EAGLE CLAW, the 1980, Iran hostage rescue attempt and Operation URGENT FURY, the 1983 invasion of Grenada. This interview was Special Operations oriented. During this interview I discussed the mission to rescue 53 American hostages and the tragic accident at Desert One where eight members of the rescue force were killed. For Grenada, I discussed the air assault on Richmond Hill Prison to rescue the political prisoners held there. The mission resulted in one aircrew member being killed, seven were wounded, and our assault force suffered 17 wounded.
My next interview was on 9 July 2018 and was more EOD oriented. In this interview I will discuss the May 1970 capture and destruction of the 327-ton weapons and ammunition cache in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, known as "Rock Island East. The capture of the cache resulted in seven American deaths and 20 wounded, and before that was over three more killed. I also talk about the Secret Service support that resulted in the death of my teammate SGM Ken Foster in 1976, and the 1996 Khobar Towers, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia truck bombing where 19 Air Force personnel were killed, 488 casualties (109 seriously wounded). I was the explosive investigator for the Department of Defense and part of the Downing Assessment Force, plus more. I also talked about my support to the FBI during the 1987 Atlanta prison riots, Operation POCKET PLANNER.
Note: If you don't have iTunes loaded on your computer or device, you can download the free iTune program from the above site. The iTunes program is 248 MB and free. Hazard Ground audio podcasts are free.
Their website: Hazard Ground Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts
I gave two audio podcast interviews for SOFREP Radio with Jack Murphy. The links below will connect you to iTunes Store.
Their website: Connecting to the iTunes Store.
I gave a video podcast interview for The Team House hosted by Jack Murphy and Dave Parke. The Team House is a weekly stream featuring interviews with military veterans and other experts in their field. The links below will connect you to the interview.
Their website: (4) The Team House - YouTube
8. The Team House video podcast interview #1, Episode #40, Delta Force Plank Owner, 1 May 2020, 2 hours and 19 minutes. This one has over 248,000 views:
My interview: Delta Force Plank Owner SGM Mike Vining, Ep. 40
9. Podcast #14, Behind the Warrior – Historian, EOD Veteran and World Traveler, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warrior Foundation (EODWF). Interviewed by Sherri Beck and Mike Mack, website: PODCAST|EOD Warrior Foundation
16. The Reconnaissance Cast - Live interviewed by Cecil “Bud” Gibson on a little bit about everything. I tried to cover topics in my career that I have not talked about in the previous interviews.
17. The Cooper Vortex – Episode 75 - Interview with Darren Schaefer on my opinion of the D.B. “Dan” Cooper bomb and my opinion on his jumping out of the B-727 aircraft in flight.
19. Co-interview with Brian Castner (Air Force EOD Veteran and book author) with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warrior Foundation (EODWF). Interviewed by Maria Schabla, website: https://eodwarriorfoundation.org/behind-the-warrior-podcast/
22. YouTube Short - American Military Network: 1 January 2025. How did your uncle become one of the baddest men in Delta Force? Delta Force legend Mike Vining took on some of the most daring missions in military history, showcasing fearless resolve in rescues, riot control, and high-stakes combat deep behind enemy lines. Length: 50 seconds. Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/z5g-bnGAqrM?si=mlyJhifHB6mv5GyO
Description This campaign was from 1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970. An increase in enemy-initiated attacks, at the highest level since 4-5 September signaled the start of the first phase of the Communist winter campaign. This was highlighted by intensified harassment incidents, and attacks throughout the Republic of Vietnam. In November-December these were heaviest in Corps Tactical Zones III and IV (around Saigon), primarily directed against Vietnamese military installations in order to disrupt the pacification program. The most significant enemy activity occurred in November with heavy attacks upon By Prang and Duc Lap in CTZ II (Central Vietnam).
By February 1970 the focus of enemy activity began to shift to CTZ I and II. Attacks increased steadily, reaching a peak in April 1970. Hostile forces staged their heaviest attacks in the Central Highlands near Civilian Irregular Defense Group camps at Dak Seang, Dak Pek, and Ben Het in I CTZ. The enemy also conducted numerous attacks by fire and several sapper attacks against U.S. fire support bases. This high level of enemy activity began in I CTZ in April and continued through May.
During the period 1 November 1969 through 30 April 1970 U.S. and allied forces concentrated on aggressive operations to find and destroy enemy main and local forces, the penetration of base camps and installations and the seizure of enemy supplies and materiel. These operations sought to deny the enemy the initiative and to inflict heavy losses in men and materiel. Further progress was made in Vietnamization through improving the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. As a result of these advances three brigades of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division and several major U.S.M.C. units were withdrawn from Vietnam during this period.
The enemy made several efforts to take the offensive at Dak Seang, which was attacked on 1 April 1970 and remained under siege throughout the month, and at Quang Duc in the By Prong-Duc Lap area which ended on 28 December. Only Vietnamese forces were engaged in both of these operations, the Quang Duc campaign involving some 12,000 ARVN troops. South Vietnamese forces again took the offensive on 14 April in a bold 3-day operation in the Angel's Wing area along the Cambodian border. The Vietnamese Army completed this mission in an aggressive professional manner without U.S. support-further evidence of their growing proficiency.
