Michael E. Sloniker

Lieutenant Colonel Michael E. Sloniker was born 27 August 1945 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. On 28 May 1967 he graduated Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery, US Army, through the Army ROTC Program. In 1982 he graduated Webster University with a Master of Science Degree in Management. In 1967 he completed the US Army Airborne Course, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In 1967 and 1968 he served in the 2nd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in South Vietnam.

He retired from the US Army 1 October 1990 and began a civilian career with Lockheed Martin Corporation. He retired from Lockheed Martin in 2011. His medals and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal (27th Award) with "V" and Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. In 2006 he was recognized as "River Rat" of the Year in the Red River Valley Association, which was established during the Vietnam War.