Vincent W. Lanna

Vincent W. Lanna (23 December 1925 – 26 August 2010) was an American attorney and military officer from Yonkers, New York. A veteran of World War II and the Berlin Crisis of 1961, his career in uniform spanned 1942 to 1985, and he attained the rank of major general. Lanna served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, United States Army, United States Army Reserve, and New York Army National Guard, and commanded the National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division from 1983 to 1985.

Lanna was raised and educated in Yonkers, and was a graduate of Gorton High School. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. During 1942 and 1943, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign. In December 1943, he received a medical discharge, after which he was employed by the United States Army Signal Corps as a defense plant inspector. In May 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army, and he served in Europe with the 14th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 71st Infantry Division. He was discharged in 1946 and served briefly in the United States Army Reserve.

In 1949, Lanna was commissioned in the New York Army National Guard's 106th Infantry Regiment. Originally qualified as an Infantry officer, he subsequently transferred to the Signal Corps and was assigned as the 106th Infantry's communications staff officer. He attended St. John's University, then enrolled at St. John's University School of Law, from which he graduated with a LL.B. degree in 1952. Lanna was admitted to the bar in 1953 and established a practice that specialized in criminal defense.

As Lanna's military career progressed, he command assignments included a company of the 101st Signal Battalion, the 101st Signal Battalion, the 187th Signal Group, and the New York Army National Guard's Headquarters Troop Command. From 1983 to 1985, he commanded the 42nd Infantry Division. He retired from the military in 1986.

After retiring from the military, Lanna continued to practice law. He served as commander of the New York Guard for several years beginning in 1987. Lanna died in Yonkers on 26 August 2010. He was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.

Early life Vincent William Lanna was born in Yonkers, New York on 23 December 1925, a son of Ettore and Clelia (Fornelli) Lanna. He grew up and was educated in Yonkers, and was a graduate of Gorton High School. In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He then received training in communications as a member of the 1st Telephone Company at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Lanna served with the 1st Marine Division in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign during 1942 and 1943 and was wounded during the Guadalcanal campaign. He was discharged medically as a corporal in December 1943, then worked for the United States Army Signal Corps as an inspector of plants that manufactured wartime communications equipment. He later married Florence Mozdziak (1925–2013). With his first wife, Lanna was the father of a daughter, Patricia. With his second, he was the stepfather of daughter Michelle (Thomas) Lambusta. Lanna established a practice in Yonkers, where he specialized in criminal defense. In 1971, St. John's converted law degrees including Lanna's from LL.B. to Juris Doctor, in keeping with the American Bar Association's effort to have the law degree recognized as a post-graduate educational accomplishment.

Continued career In April 1949, Lanna transferred his military membership to the New York Army National Guard and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry.

Military education The professional education Lanna completed during his career included:

United States Marine Corps Field Communications School, 1942

Later career Lanna was promoted to captain in March 1954 and he served as commander of Company C, 101st Signal Battalion from March 1954 to May 1959.

In May 1963, Lanna was assigned as the 101st Signal Battalion's plans, operations, and training officer (S3) and he was promoted to major in June. In August 1983 he was appointed to command the 42nd Infantry Division. He served until 31 December 1985, when he retired from the military and was succeeded by Bernard G. Ehrlich. He continued in this position until September 1990, and was succeeded by Enoch H. Williams. Lanna died in Yonkers on 26 August 2010. New York State Long and Faithful Service Medal (35 years)

United States Army Reserve Enlisted service, 23 August 1946 to 17 April 1949