Edgar Allen Poe Literary Society
Raven FACs
www.ravens.org
Apr 3, 2006
It is my distinct pleasure to announce the winners of the first annual Distinguished Ravens Scholarship.
Shakey Hart Memorial Scholarship
($500)
Zoua Kathy Vue
Burbank HS, Sacramento, CA
Scotty Shinn
Memorial Scholarship ($500)
Along Vang
Preble HS, Green Bay, WI
Ed Gunter Chad Swedberg
President, EAPLS (Raven FACs) Chairman, Scholarship Committee
Sandy Sanborn
Larry Sanborn passed away in his sleep on 1 May 2004 from an arterial disease that provided no symptoms. His unexpected passing has left a large hole in many hearts. His close association with the Special Operations and the Space communities will be greatly missed. Larry leaves behind his wife Jan and three sons by a previous marriage: Grant, Jeff and Stewart.
Larry was born and raised in Kansas. Following high school graduation, he entered the USAF Academy in June of 1961. He graduated on the 9th of June 1965 with a BS (Engineering Science) degree. Larry completed pilot training at Vance AFB, OK. After F-4 training at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Larry was stationed with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. In August 1968, Larry’s wing was redeployed to Holloman AFB, NM.
Larry went to Southeast Asia during 1969-1971. His initial assignment was in an OV-10 at Chu Lai AB, Vietnam as a forward air controller (FAC) supporting the Army’s Americal Division. Larry then volunteered for the then classified Steve Canyon Program. This program provided support in Laos for the Royal Laotian forces fighting against the communist factions of Laotians and the North Vietnamese. The call sign was “Raven.” This Raven experience became a central theme in Larry’s life. He was member of the Board of Directors and the President of the association of Ravens (called the Edgar Allen Poe Literary Society) for several years prior to his passing. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Air Commando Association.
As a key member of the Raven organization, Larry greatly and positively influenced a number of projects surrounding the Raven experience. He was active in promoting and supporting the Hmong communities who settled in the United States. Larry’s experiences were featured in a book The Ravens, by Christopher Robbins. Larry was one of four Ravens who returned to Laos in 2003. Their return was documented in a feature film for Discovery Wings and was broadcast during the Spring of 2004. Larry accumulated over 1300 hours of combat time and flew more than 700 combat missions.
After SEA, Larry obtained his first Master’s Degree from the University of Denver in Electrical Engineering and taught EE at the USAF Academy. Beginning in 1974, He attended Georgia Institute of Technology where he obtained a second Master’s Degree in electromagnetics and solid state physics. In 1977, Larry returned to Colorado where he flew T-39s. During his tenure, he was an instructor pilot, flight examiner, and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. Larry was also the designated pilot for CINC NORAD (General’s Hill and Hartinger).
From 1980-1985, Larry was the Deputy Director of Technology at Los Angeles Air Force Station where he managed research and development for new space systems. He then became Director, Surveillance and Advanced Programs Division. Larry was also acting Deputy Director, Office of Plans, Space Division during 1985-1986. He managed a number of significant space programs that were extremely important for our national defense.
Larry was the Director, Office of Research, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, D.C. from 1986 until his retirement as a Colonel in1989. As Director, Larry managed research, development, testing, and validating new and innovative technologies for space programs. After his Air Force retirement, Larry worked for TRW as a project manager on satellite and space systems. After retirement from TRW, Larry and Jan moved from California to Ft. Walton, Florida in 2002.
Larry’s decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, USAF Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (23 OLC), National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Larry is greatly missed by his friends and family. His big smile, twinkling eyes, sense of humor, quite but extremely competent leadership were taken from us much too soon. His direct efforts made us stronger as a nation and stronger as a friend. (Lt Col John Swanson, ’68, and fellow Raven)
Gloria Ann Singharaj
Shakey Hart
Shakey's obit
Zoua Kathy Vue
Scotty Shinn
Scott Shinn, pilot and friend, 71, died on Monday, June 27, 2005, after a
lifetime of making folks smile, laugh and enjoy life.
He made every thing look so easy that few noticed how absolutely competent he
was. With more real combat flying time than most, a purple heart, a silver
star and a multitude of air medals from the Vietnam War, Scott was a pilots
pilot. Throughout his life he took care of his friends. His hand was always
extended to help and to encourage others. He will be sorely missed by his
wife, Sue; his daughter, Kristen; sisters, Libby, Ruth and Vicki; brothers,
Pete and John; eight nieces and neph ews; and 10,000 friends. Inurnment with
full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery where his father
and brothers in arms rest, at a date to be determined. Donations in his name
may be made to Hospice of Health First, 1900 Dairy Road, West Melbourne, FL
32904. Arrangements entrusted to South Brevard Funeral Home, Melbourne, 724-2222.
Along Vang
