Adrian Cronauer, best known as the disc jockey portrayed in the movie “Good Morning, Vietnam!” will be the grand marshal of Dearborn’s Memorial Day Parade May 30. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m.
DEARBORN — The grand marshal of the city’s 2011 Memorial Day Parade is an iconic figure from the Vietnam War.
Adrian Cronauer is best known as the high-energy disc jockey portrayed in the movie “Good Morning Vietnam!”
The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council chose him to go along with the parade’s theme, the Vietnam War.
2011 is the 50th anniversary of the conflict, and the parade also will include a special tribute to the 69 men from Dearborn who died in the war.
The parade, presented by the veterans council with support from the city of Dearborn, begins at 9:30 a.m. May 30 on Michigan Avenue at Greenfield with a funeral procession to honor veterans who died without resources for burial.
The parade, presented by the DAWVC with support from the city of Dearborn, begins at 10:30 a.m. on May 30 on Michigan Avenue at Greenfield, and will include 90 military and community groups. It will be preceded by a funeral procession to honor veterans who died without resources for burial.
The parade will be followed by a Remembrance Service, during which Cronauer will give the keynote address.
Cronauer is a former sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, but is remembered best for his major role in military radio.
He co-authored the original story that became the 1987 motion picture, “Good Morning Vietnam!” and was loosely portrayed by Academy Award nominee Robin Williams.
After a career in law as senior attorney and corporate vice president of Burch and Cronauer, he served as confidential advisor to the deputy assistant secretary of defense from 2001 to 2009, and as special assistant to the director of the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office.
He served two terms as trustee of the Virginia War Memorial and is a former member of the national board of the Armed Forces Broadcaster Association and the board of the National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition.
Cronauer is a life member of the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, AmVets, the VFW and VietNow.
In addition, Cronauer belongs to and has been recognized by several other service clubs throughout the country.
Cronauer received his doctor of laws degree from the University of Pennsylvania and also holds a master’s degree in Media Studies from the New School Research in New York City.
His undergraduate studies were at the University of Pittsburgh, where he founded the university’s radio station.
Cronauer received several accolades for his contributions to military radio.
Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council Commander Craig Tillman said Cronauer has spent a lifetime serving the country in multiple capacities.
“We’re honored to have this outstanding veteran as grand marshal of the 2011 Dearborn Memorial Parade,” Tillman said.