Biography

Dan entered the Army in October 1966 under the “College Option for OCS” Program having just graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Education. He graduated from Fort Knox OCS on 10 August 1967. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor in Germany.

His assignments were Tank Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader and S-4. Dan was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service. While in Germany, he served on the joint staff coordinating the first “Reforger” in January of 1969. He returned to the U.S. in August 1969 and transferred his commission to the Illinois National Guard where he served as Recon Platoon Leader and Detachment Commander (now “Combat Support”) for the 1st Bn 129th Infantry. In June of 1970 he was badly burned in a gasoline fire at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, and spent six months at the hospital at Great Lakes Naval Base. On return to the Guard he served as S1 and was promoted to the rank of Captain. Upon being rated 40% disabled from his injuries he was transferred to the standby reserves.

Dan practiced law for 30 years as a Criminal Prosecutor and Corporate Lawyer. He has authored or coauthored 8 books, including When the Nation Called the Third Time: Army Officer Candidate School at Ft Knox, Kentucky: The Vietnam Era with three other graduates of Ft Knox OCS. Dan has been active in civic affairs, philanthropic endeavors and University matters in his hometown of Bloomington, Illinois.

Dan joined the U.S. Army OCS Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2016 and has served as the Secretary and Legal Advisor to the Vice President of Administration and the President and Chief Executive Officer from 2016-2019. Dan is credited with playing a leading role in the integrating the graduates of Vietnam eras OCS into USAOCSAA. He has been part of the Association’s Support Team, the Memorial Walk and Wigle Hall. He was the first member of the Commandants Circle of $25,000 donors for the OCS Heritage Center. He is a member the Order of ST Maurice and an Honorary member of the 11th Infantry Regiment.

Mr. Dan Leifel is recognized for Leadership, Mentorship and Financial support to the OCS Alumni Association, fellow Alumni, the OCS Battalion, and the OCS Candidates with the 2020 Nett Award. Back