BLADES OF THUNDER (Book I)

Submitted by: Wayne Dandridge

Category: Books

About the author:

Larry Dandridge is a 100% disabled Vietnam era wounded warrior and the founder, chief operating manager, editor, and senior writer with Tigers, Vikings, and Vipers Publishing, LLC. He is an accomplished motivational speaker and writer. His leadership, aerospace, business, and logistics articles have been published in over 24 magazines, journals, and newspapers and two books in the US, Germany, and Britain. His latest book Blades of Thunder will be published in May 2015. He is also an ex-Army airport and heliport manager, ex-enlisted infantryman; ex-aviation warrant officer; ex-combat attack, utility, and scout helicopter pilot, fixed wing single and multi-engine pilot, flight examiner, test pilot, and instructor pilot; and a retired Army master aviator. He has a commercial pilot’s license in helicopters, airplanes, and instruments and is a certified flight instructor in airplanes, helicopters, and instruments. He has worked as a multi and single engine land commercial pilot. He served in the past as an Airport Manager and Commander, the Army Aviation Center’s Chief of Aircraft Maintenance, Army Flight Instructor and Examiner, Safety Officer, Aviation Flight Training Company Commander, an Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Company (375 troops) Commander, and a Battalion Operations and Intelligence Officer. He also has worked as a Battalion Executive Officer, a US-German Negotiator, Middle East Aviation Advisor in Iran, COBRA Attack Helicopter Assistant Fielding Team Chief, Aviation POMCUS Science Project Officer, Depot Transportation Officer, Traffic Manager, and Locomotive Operator. He has a California Community College Teaching Credential in Aeronautics, Business, Industrial Operations, and Military Science. He has a BS degree in Aeronautical Science with a minor in business from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a MS degree in Transportation Management from Florida Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of the Army Transportation Officer Advanced Course, Armed Forces Staff College, Haus Rissen Institute (an international think tank), and over 20 other military specialty schools, including logistics, instructor pilot, academic instructor, contracting and procurement, special operations, command and staff, and others. He is a graduate of Charleston, SC's Murray Vocational High School (electronics, and carpentry shops). Larry is a past scientist and program manager with Battelle Pacific North West Laboratory, Cobro Corporation, Westar Aerospace and Defense Group, Incorporated, and QinetiQ North America, Inc. He is an honors graduate of three police academies. He is also a certified “Business Process Reengineering Specialist”, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, past Program Manager (PM), and the recent East Region Sample Data Collection and Analysis (SDCA) Manager, Proposals Manager and a Program Manager, Senior Engineer, Logistician, and Analyst with QinetiQ North America Inc. He has successfully led the re-engineering and reinvention of over 15 businesses and government organizations including a textile manufacturing business, a vehicle remanufacturing facility, an aircraft maintenance facility, a police department, a federal law enforcement training center’s logistics department, three Army directorates of logistics (DOL) operations, a food service operation, a mortuary, a university book store, a harbor craft and port operation, a wheeled and tracked vehicle maintenance operation, a medical services business, and others. Larry Dandridge is also the founder and ex-Chief Operating Manager, ex-principal owner, and ex-board chairman of Community Loving Care Hospice, LLC in St. Louis, MO ---- the most successful hospice in MO from 2002 to 2012! He wrote the hospice business plan, attracted reputable partners and capital, and captured the 2nd largest medical oncology practice in all of MO and many other doctors, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living homes, and many others as customers. He hired and trained the directors and staff and did much of the marketing. He served as the volunteer director until the volunteer program was the largest and most robust in MO. CLC Hospice, LLC was sold for 2.5 times the original selling price of shares in 2012. CLC Hospice, LLC earned a 23% return on investment and a 255% return on the cost of initial partnership shares. CLC earned the reputation as the best hospice in the eight counties served. He also has worked as a police officer, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center consultant, and college business, economics, industrial operations, technical report writing, and aeronautics instructor for the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Maryland, Chapman University, and Lassen Community College. He also served as and extension division director for Lassen and Chapman. As the past Association of the US Army Charleston SC President, he guided the chapter to best chapter in 2009 and runner up chapter for four years. He is a current VP at Large of the AUSA 3rd Region. He is an active volunteer, patient advisor, and Patient and Family Centered Care (PFCC) instructor and member of the strategic planning team, the customer service council, and the PFCC Committee with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. He is a VA, State of SC, and American Legion trained Veterans Service Officer. A member of the “West Point Logistics Director’s Hall of Fame (inducted in 2002)”, his awards include the 2006, 2007, 2008 AUSA Exceptional Service Awards”, “2009 AUSA 3rd Region Brenda M. Dougherty Award”, the “2009 AUSA Chapter President’s Award”, “2009 Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Volunteer and Sponsor of the Year Award”, “2010 MOAA Charleston SC Chapter Robert J. Lahm Award”, 2011 AUSA 3rd Region Significant Achievement Award”, the 2013 AUSA 3rd Region’s President’s Award, the “VA Special 2012 Volunteer Award”, and the “Runner Up for the 2012 VA Spirit Award”. He has also received three “Silver Quill Awards” for writing. His military decorations include the Purple Heart, German Silver Cross of Honor, two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Joint Meritorious Service Medal, five Army Meritorious Service Medals, 15 Combat Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, and others. He is a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Army Aviation Association of America, Association of the US Army, Military Officers Association of America member, Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association, Military Order of World Wars, Military Order of Purple Heart, Women in Defense, American Legion, Disabled America Veterans, and a past member of the Charleston SC Exchange Club and Rotary. He is married to Judith Ann (Siegel) Dandridge and the father of five children (two nurse practitioners, one dietician, one lawyer, and one computer programmer). He is the proud owner of two (miniature) Italian Greyhounds. He likes to play tennis and basketball and he enjoys grandchildren, fishing, writing, public speaking, swimming, and reading.