Colonel Danner was born and raised in Allentown, PA. He graduated from Rutgers University, NJ with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in geography in
1969 and went on to receive his master's degree in business administration from the University of Utah in 1975.

Colonel Danner attended officer's candidate school and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on October 21, 1969 at Lackland AFB, TX. He then went to Mather AFB, CA and graduated from navigator training on August 6, 1970. Colonel Danner graduated from Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) training at Mather AFB, CA in March 1971. He received training in the Wild Weasel mission at Nellis AFB, NV, April and May of 1971 in the F105G.

Colonel Danner was then stationed at Korat AB, Thailand, assigned to the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron from June 1971 to June 1972. He was nicknamed 'Baby Bear', the youngest member of the squadron at 24 years old and a 1st Lieutenant. He flew as an EWO in the F105G flying 153 missions in the Vietnam War and over 100 were over North Vietnam. The Wild Weasel mission was to protect fighters, bombers, reconnaissance and other aircraft from radar guided surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire.

Colonel Danner earned his two Distinguished Flying Crosses flying in an F105G during the Vietnam War for missions in April 1972 over North Vietnam.

After his tour in Vietnam, he served in the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Wild Weasels from 1973 to 1975 at Spangdahlem AB, Germany flying as an EWO in the F4C.

Colonel Danner served six years on active duty and then joined the 152nd Tactical Reconnaissance Group flying as a Weapons Systems Operator (WSO) for the Nevada Air National Guard in Reno, NV. Colonel Danner retired in November 1989 after 20 years of honorable service in the USAF and NV ANG.

He is a member of the Red River Valley Pilots Association, a.k.a., River Rats, Distinguished Flying Cross Society (DFCS) and a lifetime member of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)