Lieutenant Colonel John B. Lang, USMC (Ret.) is a decorated combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm; the United Nations operation in Somalia; and the war in Iraq, retiring with more than 22 years of commissioned service. He was honored as the Marine Corps’ intelligence officer of the year in 1996 with the Donald G. Cook Award. LtCol Lang is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he majored in military history. He also has an MA in International Relations from Creighton University. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Air War College and Naval War College courses, and the Armed Forces Staff College. LtCol Lang has always admired the Vietnam veterans who were his leaders, mentors, and friends throughout his career. He has attended 2nd Platoon’s annual reunions since 2006 and Doug’s comrades made him an honorary member of 2nd Platoon in 2009. John Lang is a native of Monterey, California.