Reinold E. Yahnka was born on 9 July 1954 in Albion, Michigan, to Roland and Nancy Yahnka. He was raised in Springport, Michigan, and graduated from Springport High School in June of 1972.

On 22 June 1972, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he received training as an Armament Systems specialist. His first assignment was to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. In March of 1973, he was deployed from Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, to Southwest Asia to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. For seven months, he served in support of the Vietnam War. He returned to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, for nine months. In August of 1974, he was reassigned to Korat Royal Thai AFB in Korat, Thailand, for one year. While there, he worked on F-111 fighter jets and then AC-130 gunships, where he provided support for the evacuation of Saigon and assisted in the S.S. Mayaguez incident.

In August 1975, he was assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, 5th Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, where he worked on B-52 Bombers for 7 years.  In August of 1982, he and his family were reassigned to Anderson Air Force Base on the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean for 2 years. While there, he worked on B-52 Bombers.  In August of 1984, he was assigned to the 343^rdEquipment Maintenance Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, in Sumter, South Carolina. While there, he worked on F-16 Fighter jets and finished out his 20-year career as an Armament Systems Manager and retired as a Master Sergeant E-7, on 1 July 1992.

His medals include two Meritorious Service Medals, the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal, the U.S. Air Force Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, the U.S. Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the U.S. Air Force Longevity Service Award, and the U.S. Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon. 

In 2005, he moved back to Springport, Michigan, and became highly active in VFW Adams-Rockey Post 6056 activities.  In 2006, he was elected as the Post Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 6056. In 2007, he was elected as Post Commander and served in that position until 2019. He was elected as the VFW Post 6056 Post Commander 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

Reinold was an All American Post Commander 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 and All-State Post Commander 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2023-2024.  He served on several Post and District Committees and was elected as District 6 Jr. Vice Commander 2018-2019, District 6 Sr. Vice Commander 2019-2020, and District 6 Commander for two years 2020-2022.   He was the only All-State District Commander 2 years in a row, 2020-2022.   He was the only All-American District Commander in 2020-2021 and was one of four in the state to make All-American in 2021-2022. 

On 20 September 2022, he received a National appointment as Assistant Inspector General for 2022-2023. State Commander John Griffith appointed him as State Deputy Chief of Staff for 2022-2023. Commander Griffith also assigned him to the position as Interim State Inspector in July of 2022 after the State Inspector had a stroke. 

On 10 June 2023, he was elected as the State Junior Vice Commander for the Department of Michigan VFW. On 1 June 2024, he was elected as the State Senior Vice Commander for the Department of Michigan VFW. On 31 May 2025, he was elected as the State Commander for the Department of Michigan VFW.  

On 11 November 2020, he was selected as the Jackson County Veteran of the Year 2020 by the Jackson County Veterans Council.   Reinold became a VFW Gold Legacy Life Member in 2019.   He has served as Post Commander of American Legion Bernhiesel-Riley Post 313, 2008 to present.

Commander Yahnka and his wife Diana have three children between them. Reinold’s daughter is Nickole Densmore of North Carolina, and his son Richard (Kindra) Yahnka of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Diana’s son, Michael (Jules) Wallace, of Jackson, Michigan. They have five grandchildren, Brandon (Heather) Densmore of New Jersey, Elani (Michael) Biehle of Texas, Jesse Drzewucki of North Carolina, Robert Wallace of Arizona, and Nickolas Wallace of Florida, and six great-great-grandchildren.