Michael Lee Lanning (born September 18, 1946) is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and the author of military non-fiction.

Early life and education

Lanning was born September 18, 1946, in Sweetwater, Texas.

Personal life

In 2003, Lanning was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He underwent treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and is now stable. A Washington Post article chronicled his journey and the story of the doctors who treated him.

Military career

Upon graduation from Texas A&M in 1968, Lanning was commissioned a second lieutenant and received infantry, airborne, and ranger training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After a tour as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, he reported to Vietnam where he served as an infantry platoon leader, reconnaissance platoon leader, and rifle company commander in the 2d Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Subsequent tours of duty took him throughout the United States and Germany as he served as an instructor in the U.S. Army Ranger School, a mechanized infantry company commander in the 3rd Infantry Division, and executive officer of an infantry battalion in the 1st Cavalry Division. Non command assignments included Public Affairs Officer for the 1st Cavalry Division and I Corps and the plans officer for the American Forces Information Service.

Military Decorations and Badges

Writing career

Lanning is the author or co-author of 30 non-fiction books on military history, sports, and health. More than a million copies of his books are in print in fifteen countries, and editions have been translated into eleven languages. He has appeared on major television networks and the History Channel as an expert on the individual soldier on both sides of the Vietnam War. His books have been reviewed by The New York Times where he was described as "a prime example" of a "good infantry officer". He was "one of the youngest company commanders" in the Vietnam War. His book about the firing of Mike Leach at Texas Tech (Double T - Double Cross) was written upon request from his publisher. It drew his interest because of his roots in the west Texas panhandle, where he was born. Books