Aircraft explosion at Indian Springs AFB

September 21, 1981

http://www3.gendisasters.com/nevada/16557/indian-springs-afb-nv-cargo-plane-crash-sep-1981

Ted Coskey provided this bio on Greg, as reported by Judy Dennison:

Gregory Eldon Gardner went from Las Vegas High School on to UNLV. After two years Greg decided that the university was not for him. He enlisted in order to serve in Vietnam. He became a medic in the Special Forces (Green Berets).

After his enlistment was up, Greg decided to become a doctor. He was accepted at the University of Nevada at Reno. There he also signed up with ROTC.

In 1977 Greg married Cindy Rose. In 1978 he graduated and became Captain Gardner, MD; specializing in emergency medicine. In 1980 he became Battalion Surgeon to the elite Second (Ranger) Battalion.

On September 21, 1981, Greg was on a training mission near Indian Springs. The plane he was on crash landed and burst into flames. Greg helped get the men out of the plane. He remained behind caring for the injured. The plane exploded and Greg died.

Quoting from his Mother’s book:
“His service decorations included the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Commendation Medal.”

Quoting from his last Officer’s Evaluation Report by his superiors:

“On a scale of one (high) to five (low), he was rated one in all categories…" “…the most professional and competent Army officer/surgeon I have ever known.”  “Even at this early date, he is an obvious potential candidate to be Surgeon General.”

On January 22, 1982 Greg was awarded, posthumously, the Soldier’s Medal, the highest peace-time award for heroism authorized by Congress.

(Thank you, Ted and Judy for this inspiring report about Greg.)