Adrian Cronauer

Cronauer in 2006

Adrian Cronauer (born September 8, 1938 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former United States Air Force sergeant and radio personality whose experiences as an innovative deejay in Vietnam inspired the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam.^[1][2]

Background in radio

Cronauer began his broadcasting career at the age of 12, as a guest for a Pittsburgh-area children's amateur hour.^[3] He attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he helped found the forerunner of the university's college radio station WPTS.

Military service

Cronauer co-wrote the original story for the film Good Morning, Vietnam, which was based on his experiences as a Saigon-based deejay during the Vietnam War, where he served from 1965 to 1966.^[4] His program was known as the "Dawn Buster". A subsequent special program on National Public Radio about the role of the American Forces Vietnam Network — AFVN — (military radio and television) earned Cronauer a 1992 Ohio State Award and two 1991 Gold Medals from the New York Radio Festival.

Personal life

Cronauer earned a master's degree in Media Studies from the New School for Social Research in New York City and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Cronauer's law practice concentrated in information and communications law. He was also the head of an advertising agency. Later he worked as a special assistant to the Director of the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office.^[5][6]

Cronauer is a member of Mensa^[3]. He is also—contrary to Robin Williams' portrayal—a "lifelong card-carrying Republican", having taken an "active role" in both Bob Dole's 1996 and George W. Bush's 2004 Presidential campaigns.^[7]

United States Air Force portal

Notes

This United States biographical article related to radio is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e