Adrian Cronauer passes
AnotherPat sends us the sad news that Adrian Joseph Cronauer has passed at the age of 79. Cronauer is best known for the Robin Williams movie “Good Morning, Vietnam” which was supposed to be based on Cronauer’s experiences in Vietnam, even though, Cronauer admitted that little of the portrayal was true.
From Wiki;
In the late 1970s, Cronauer had an idea for a television sitcom that would be a blend of M*A*S*H* and WKRP in Cincinnati, two popular TV series of that era. It was not until some years later that he was able to elicit interest in the proposal which became the film Good Morning, Vietnam. The movie was based on his experiences as a Saigon-based DJ during the Vietnam War, where he served from 1965 to 1966. His program was known as the “Dawn Buster.” According to Cronauer, other than the film’s portrayal of him being a radio host, very little of the film reflects his experiences, except the bombing of a restaurant which Cronauer witnessed from nearby. A subsequent special program on National Public Radio about the role of the American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN-military radio and television) earned Cronauer a 1992 Ohio State Award and two 1991 Gold Medals from the New York Radio Festival. Prior to getting stationed in Vietnam he was stationed at Iraklion Air Station Crete, Greece.
Cronauer’s service to his country didn’t end when he was discharged according to WDBJ;
According to his obituary, Cronauer served as a confidential advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense from 2001 through 2009.
Cronauer represented the POW/MIA office at meetings with the office of the Secretary of Defense. He led responsibility for DPMO’s dealings with international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Tripartite Commission.
For his efforts in those regards, Cronauer holds the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.
A former U.S. Air Force sergeant, Cronauer sat on the Board of Directors for the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford
Category: We Remember
Rest easy, sir, and many thanks.
His family seems to be very humble since his role in “Good Morning, Vietnam” was not mentioned until the very end of his obituary:
https://www.roanoke.com/obituaries/cronauer-adrian-joseph/article_0e587eb4-e76b-5907-8252-c5fb2a331f31.html
Rest in Peace, Mr. Cronauer. Thank you for your service in the world’s greatest Air Force as well as representing POW/MIAs.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Cronauer.
With God’s grace, Mr. Cronauer is broadcasting from heaven.
Rest easy, Sir.
Thank you for your service and welcome home.
The reason I’m an Army Broadcaster today is because of the movie Good Morning Vietnam. R.I.P. Adrian.
God now starts his day by hearing “Gooooooooood morning heaven!” A life well lived, Mr. Cronauer.
Uh, seems to me I remember him very vocally active in the anti-war movement in the early ’00s? And being highly uncomplimentary about the military at the time. Glad he served, will reserve judgement until all the facts are out.
May you rest in Peace! You have earned your place in Heaven. Prayers to you and your family.
May God Rest your Soul.
David: Interesting.
According to Wiki and the link below, “Cronauer was a member of Mensa and a “lifelong card-carrying Republican”, having taken an “active role” in both Bob Dole’s 1996 unsuccessful presidential campaign and George W. Bush’s 2004 successful presidential re-election campaign”:
https://web.archive.org/web/20120509103859/http://urgentcomm.com/mag/radio_real_life_adrian
Even if none of that were true and he opposed some military action somewhere, so what? We are not goose steppers and many here are opposed to our being in certain places right now. Opposing a policy or action that puts our people in harm’s way is not the same as opposing the troops.
Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Cronauer.
“GoooD Morning VAL-HAL-AAAAAAAAAAAA”.
😉
Rest in peace Sir. You won’t be forgotten.
Never saw the movie. Didn’t have to. I listened to it live while there. Jimmy Hendrix “all along the watchtower” brings it all back.
26Limabeans:Never saw the movie. Didn’t have to. I listened to it live while there. Jimmy Hendrix “all along the watchtower” brings it all back.
Really? Cronauer was there in 65, Marines landed in Danang Dec 65, Cronauer left before end of 66. All along the watchtower by Hendrix wasn’t even released until November of 68 and that was for play in the US. Nice try. So you were “there in Viet of the Nam as early as before Dec 65?……uh, huh.
I had no idea he lived in Troutville. I grew up in the Roanoke-Salem area. RIP.
Thank you for your service, sir.
He spoke at the Army JAG school when I was there (about POW/MIA issues) and was very well received.
At the request of one student, he did his “Good Morning, Vietnam!” as he said it really happened…he mimed searching around for the first record of the day through the “goooooood”…and then, when he found it, snapped out the “morningVietnam!”
We were charmed.
An original tape of that is on Youtube. His “Good” lasts about forever.
2/17 Air Cav:
I think this is the video you addressed:
https://youtu.be/V8FkXRgA4Sg
It is 6 minutes short and worth listening. What a wonderful Radio voice.
When I heard him talk, I thought he looked a little and sounded a lot like Judge Bork. (Which suited me just fine.)
That was great- thanks!
Here is the one I was referring to…
Am smiling, because h visalize that looonnnngg “Goood Morning, Vietnam!” in the other posted video.
Thank you for sharing!
Rest in Peace.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Cronauer.
A life well lived is the best we can hope for. Fair winds, following seas Mr. Cronauer.
There were a lot of things wrong with that whole Vietnam War and if this brave man fought to get our troops out of there before they were all sacrificed on the altar of political expediency I am 100% behind him.
The Fighting Men and the Women that supported them at home in that war fought like Tigers and were truly the best of that/our generation. They won every battle and did so with the Honor and Valor that they deserved from an ungrateful country.
So, I don’t pretend to know anything at all about Vietnam, but because I served in the company of heroes, all our NCO’s were in Vietnam at one time or another, several had awards of bravery. My Squad Leader had a Silver Star and never once spoke about it until I asked him one day. As he spoke about the Silver Star, it seemed to me that he was totally, completely unafraid of anything, except smiling politicians holding knives behind their backs to stab us as we did their dirty work…
So if this brave man fought to bring the brave Troopers that served over there home one day faster, more power to him …
RIP Sir, your duty to God and Country is now labeled as Mission Accomplished.
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Met the man once at a breakfast the local Vietnamese refugee community holds every year… Seems like not long ago, and yet it was during his tenure with DASD. Amazing how the years fly by.
Rest easy, Mr. Cronauer. It was an honor.