Chief Warrant Officer FourRaymond L. McDaniel
Chief Warrant Officer Four Raymond McDaniel was born on December 24, 1928 in Harlan, Kentucky and joined the Army in 1946. During his 32-year career, he served in numerous maintenance positions with the 11th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and 101st Airborne Division and participated in the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict.
Although initially trained as a cook, Chief Warrant Officer Four McDaniel quickly transferred to maintenance and served as a vehicle mechanic, track mechanic, and battalion motor sergeant. Upon becoming a Warrant Officer in 1960, Chief Warrant Officer Four McDaniel served with the 801st Maintenance Battalion, 101st Airborne Division and participated in two combat tours in Vietnam. He led maintenance teams providing direct support to division elements and provided area support for the division and units within its AOR.
Following a tour as the assistant G-4 with the U.S. Training Mission in Saudi Arabia in 1970, Chief Warrant Officer Four McDaniel returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina to serve with the 782nd Maintenance Battalion Maintenance Assistance and Instruction Team (MAIT) being established for the 82nd Airborne Division. He was so successful in this endeavor that he was sent to Okinawa to oversee the implementation of the MAIT for the U.S. Army Forces stationed in Japan. He returned to the 782nd and was selected to be the first Automotive Maintenance Technician and Shop Officer for the newly formed Delta Company, 782nd Maintenance Battalion.
Despite reaching his mandatory retirement date in 1976, his battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General James W. Ball) requested an extension due to his technical prowess and training ability. Chief Warrant Officer Four McDaniel retired in 1978.