[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 89 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3768-S3770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING VIETNAM VETERANS AND NORTH DAKOTA'S SOLDIERS WHO LOST THEIR 
                            LIVES IN VIETNAM

  Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, before I begin to talk about the 198 
North Dakotans who died while serving our country in Vietnam, I want to 
first mention and publicly thank a great Vietnam veteran, Jim 
Schothorst of Grand Forks. He is a Vietnam veteran. He enlisted in the 
Army and served in Vietnam from December 1966 to March 1969 as a 
construction engineer with the 169th Engineer Battalion.
  He was raised in McVille. He now lives in Grand Forks. He received 
his degree from the University of North Dakota and was employed with 
the Grand Forks Health Department for 25 years.
  Jim has been extraordinarily helpful to the North Dakota 
congressional delegation whenever we have needed to gather input or 
hear from Grand Forks area veterans.
  Thank you, Jim, for your service to our country.
  I want to again extend my comments and talk about 14 men who did not 
make it home from Vietnam.


                          Wesley Craig Brenno

  The first soldier whom I will talk about is Wesley Craig Brenno. 
Craig was from Larson. He was born February 18, 1945. He served in the 
Marine Corps Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Craig died on 
March 28, 1967. He was 22 years old.
  He attended school in Columbus and was a star athlete. He was voted 
most valuable player, and he lettered in baseball, basketball, and 
football from eighth grade through his senior year of high school.
  In 1963, he began his college career at the University of North 
Dakota on a baseball scholarship and became an active member and 
officer of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After finishing his junior 
year of college, Craig enlisted in the Marine Corps. The Acting 
Secretary of the Navy wrote the following in Craig's citation for the 
Silver Star Medal.

       He unhesitatingly assumed the hazardous point position and 
     while fearlessly advancing at the front of his team, he was 
     severely wounded by an enemy mine. Despite intense pain, he 
     valiantly continued to direct his men, urging them forward to 
     complete their mission.

  About a week after sustaining that injury, Craig died from his 
wounds. Nearly 600 people attended Craig's funeral.
  In addition to receiving many medals honoring his sacrifice and 
service, Craig was also inducted into the North Dakota American Legion 
Baseball Hall of Fame, and his fraternity named their library after 
him.
  His family cherishes an essay entitled ``My Philosophy of Life'' 
Craig wrote in the eighth grade, where he stated:

       I believe in a free country. People must have courage and 
     be willing to fight for our freedom.


                           Christopher Davis

  Christopher Davis was from Belcourt and was born June 1, 1942. He 
served in the Army's 17th Field Hospital as a medic. Chris was 24 years 
old when he died on March 18, 1967.
  He was one of seven children. Also, his nephew, Gerald, was raised by 
Chris's parents and the two were as close as brothers. Gerald remembers 
Chris's fun personality and the little jokes and tricks he played on 
people, like dressing up and impersonating others. Chris loved to sing 
and play the guitar, and once won second place in a contest singing 
Ricky Nelson's ``Poor Little Fool.''
  While serving in Vietnam, Chris mailed his parents a letter 
describing seeing more blood in 1 day in the hospital in Vietnam than 
he had seen in his whole lifetime before that.
  After Chris died, Gerald served in the Army in Vietnam. Gerald went 
to visit the hospital where Chris worked but left almost as soon as he 
entered because of the awful cries and screams that he heard. Chris's 
family says that Chris's son Marcus has similar looks and mannerisms to 
Chris. Marcus was just a baby when Chris died.


                             DeWayne Selby

  DeWayne Selby was from Bismarck. He was born July 6, 1948. He served 
in the Marine Corps' India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. DeWayne 
died on May 26, 1968. He was 19 years old.
  DeWayne was one of four children. His brother, Richard, also served 
our country in the Navy. DeWayne's sister, Phyllis, and his wife, Evan, 
remember what a soft heart DeWayne had. When he was 15 years old, he 
moved in with his grandparents so he could help take care of his aging 
grandfather. After high school, DeWayne worked as a mechanic, often 
fixing cars for free for

[[Page S3769]]

people who did not have any money. DeWayne taught Phyllis how to play 
football and baseball with the boys, but if they got too rough, DeWayne 
protected his little sister.
  DeWayne was shot and killed about a month into his tour of duty in 
Vietnam.


                              Larry Warbis

  Larry Warbis was from Haynes. He was born October 15, 1948. He served 
in the Army's 9th Infantry Division. He died on October 6, 1968. He was 
19 years old.
  Larry was one of five children and attended Haynes High School, where 
he played basketball. He then worked at the Haynes elevator, where his 
brother managed the elevator.
  Larry's sister, Vicki, says that she and Larry spent their free time 
together hunting, catching snakes, and shooting pheasants year-round. 
Their mother scolded them for shooting pheasants out of season but then 
cooked the birds for the family to eat anyway.
  Vicki remembers Larry as a kind, soft person. Their cousin, Sharon 
Campbell, remembers having fun babysitting Larry and what a nice young 
man he grew up to be.
  Larry was killed about 2 months into his tour of duty in Vietnam. 
Larry's body was returned to his family on his 20th birthday.


                        Dennis ``Buddy'' Wosick

  Dennis ``Buddy'' Wosick was from Grand Forks and was born September 
26, 1947. He served in the Army's 11th Infantry Brigade. Buddy died on 
June 9, 1969. He was 21 years old.
  Although Dennis was his name, he was known to all of his family and 
friends as Buddy. First, he was his dad's little buddy, and as he grew 
up, he became a buddy to all who knew him.
  He had dreams about becoming an astronaut, and he could fix anything, 
including HAM radios, TVs, and cars. To this day, Buddy's family still 
hears from people who knew him and people who have beautiful stories 
about his character, like when he gave up his lunch at school for 
another boy who had been bullied and whose sandwich was thrown on the 
ground.
  Buddy died saving the men in his barracks from an explosion that 
could have killed them if he had not bravely jumped into the ammunition 
truck to drive it from the targeted barracks as it was being attacked. 
His sister, Kathy, whom I had the privilege to meet last Sunday in 
Fargo, believes that Buddy knew he was giving his life by driving that 
truck away, but that was the kind of guy Buddy was.


                    Ernest ``Ernie'' Bartolina, Jr.

  Ernest ``Ernie'' Bartolina, Jr., was a Bismarck native. He was born 
December 29, 1942. He served as a captain in the Marine Corps flying 
helicopters. Ernie was 26 years old when he died on February 7, 1969.
  He played the French horn in the band while attending Bismarck High 
School. He later attended Bismarck Junior College and the University of 
North Dakota where he received a degree in accounting.
  Ernie's sister, Jan, says that he liked to have fun and had a good 
sense of humor. He and his dad enjoyed hunting and fishing together as 
often as they could.
  Ernie was killed when the helicopter he was flying on an emergency 
medical evacuation mission was shot down and crashed. The only survivor 
of the crash spoke with Jan and explained that Ernie's calm and 
collected manner was the reason that survivor was able to live and that 
Ernie was highly respected by his fellow Marines.


                            Paul Charnetzki

  Paul Charnetzki was from Valley City and was born May 25, 1936. He 
served in the Army's Military Assistance Command--Vietnam Advisers. 
Paul was 31 years old when he died on February 7, 1968.
  Paul left behind his wife and five sons. One son, also named Paul, 
said that his father loved this country and the Army. He was a 
professional soldier, and he respected and cared for his fellow 
soldiers.
  He spent as much time as he could with his sons, settling their 
fights and pretending to be tackled in their backyard football games.
  Paul was killed when the Vietnamese unit he was advising was 
ambushed. He was shot while assisting his unit members into the 
evacuation helicopter.
  Paul was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his gallantry in action, 
and his son Paul believes that he would have been proud of that award, 
but even more proud of what his friends told Paul's family; that he was 
the ultimate warrior.


                         Joseph ``Bill'' Crary

  Joseph ``Bill'' Crary was from Fargo and was born April 18, 1945. He 
served in the Army's 196th Infantry Brigade. He was 25 years old when 
he died on May 27, 1970.
  Bill was one of seven children. There were three sets of twins in his 
family. Bill and his twin sister, Kathy, were the oldest twins in the 
family. Bill's brother, Mike, also served in Vietnam.
  The Crary family honors Mike as a hero for his service and 
selflessness as well. Mike told Bill that instead of being drafted, 
Bill should enlist and Mike would offer to sign up for a second tour of 
duty so Bill would not have to serve in Vietnam, but Bill did not 
agree.
  Bill had earned a degree from St. Louis University and was attending 
the University of North Dakota Law School when he was drafted.
  His siblings believe Bill was special and excelled at everything. 
They believe he could have held office at the highest level. Bill's 
cousin, Jim Crary, says Bill always saw the bright side of situations 
and was determined to do the best at whatever he was doing. Jim wrote a 
book about Bill titled ``War Doesn't Bother Butterflies (But It Killed 
Bill).'' Jim's book details Bill's life and death and includes letters 
Bill wrote to friends and family.
  In Vietnam, Bill became a medic and died 1 month after arriving in 
Vietnam. He was killed after running to provide first aid and evacuate 
a fellow soldier who had been shot. Bill was awarded the Silver Star 
for his heroism and his devotion to his duty.


                             Roger Foreman

  Roger Foreman was from New Town and was born August 4, 1947. He 
served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division. Roger died on July 18, 
1969. He was 21 years old.
  He was the oldest of three children. His father, Earl, was wounded 
while serving in the Army in World War II.
  Roger's brother, Dale, says that Roger was a caring person who loved 
his family and his country. Roger also loved his mom's home cooking. 
His mother is still alive today. She is 95 years old.
  In his free time, Roger enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycles, track, 
football, and basketball. A highlight of his high school experience was 
taking second place in the 1963 State Class B Basketball Tournament.
  After his death, Roger was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor 
and the Purple Heart.


                              James Fowler

  James Fowler was from Bismarck and was born January 7, 1938. He was a 
lieutenant colonel in the Air Force's 523rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. 
James was 34 years old when he went missing on June 6, 1972.
  In Bismarck, he attended St. Mary's High School. His family says he 
always loved North Dakota.
  In 1960, James earned a degree in architecture from the University of 
Notre Dame, where there is today a scholarship named after him for his 
outstanding work called Outstanding ROTC.
  In 1972, James and CPT John Seuell were flying an F4D aircraft that 
was shot down over Vietnam. Their bodies have never been recovered.
  In addition to his mother Mildred and his sister Marcene, James left 
behind his wife Maralyn, daughter Jody, and son Stephen.
  In 1989, the sons of the two MIA pilots met by chance. Stephen and 
Captain John Seuell's son, also named John, met at a banquet, learned 
that they grew up near each other, and both began attending the Air 
Force Academy in Florida. Both boys had lifelong dreams to fly and 
become pilots like their fathers.


                         ROBERT ``BOB'' HIMLER

  Robert ``Bob'' Himler was from Williston and was born October 21, 
1942. He served as a captain in the Marine Corps. Robert was 25 years 
old when he died on October 24, 1968.
  He was attending the University of North Dakota with plans to become 
a doctor, but he paused his studies to enlist in the Marines.

[[Page S3770]]

  In Vietnam, Robert was killed when the helicopter he was flying was 
struck by hostile fire, crashed, and burned.
  In addition to his parents and siblings, he left behind his wife, 
Doris.
  Robert's family says that everyone loved him and that to this day, 
whenever his classmates see his sister, Patty, they still talk about 
him.
  Robert's mother's husband, Duane, has a diary that Robert kept while 
he served in Vietnam. Duane notes the interesting fact that Robert 
stopped writing in the diary about 5 months before he died.


                             BYRON KULLAND

  Byron Kulland was from New Town and was born on November 9, 1947. He 
served in the Army's 196th Infantry Brigade. Byron was 24 years old 
when he went missing on April 2, 1972.
  His brother, Lee, says that Byron was always smiling and enjoyed 
life. He loved music, animals, and he loved his wife, Leona.
  Byron was musically gifted. His mother taught him to play the piano, 
and he taught himself to play the guitar and banjo.
  Byron and his brother, Lee, sheared sheep to help pay for Byron's 
college tuition. Byron graduated from North Dakota State University 
with a degree in agricultural engineering. He also graduated from ROTC 
as a second lieutenant.
  In Vietnam in 1972, Byron and his helicopter crew were flying on a 
search and rescue mission when their helicopter was shot down. For over 
a year, Byron was considered missing in action. One of his passengers 
was taken as a prisoner of war and returned to the United States in 
1973.
  In 1993, Byron's remains were uncovered, and today he is buried in 
Arlington National Cemetery.


                        David ``Davie'' DePriest

  David ``Davie'' DePriest was from Rugby and was born September 17, 
1946. He served in the Army's 20th Engineer Brigade. David died on 
March 25, 1968. He was 21 years old.
  He was the youngest of six kids. He had four brothers and one sister. 
All five of the boys served our country in the military. The three 
youngest boys--David, Lane, and Russ--served in the Army in Vietnam, 
and Richard and Dennis served in the Air Force. The three youngest boys 
served in Vietnam at the same time.
  While in high school, David joined the National Guard and then later 
decided to join the Army.
  David's brother, Russ, says that David was short but muscular and 
liked to hunt rabbits to improve the accuracy of his shot.
  While in Vietnam, the brothers were less than 100 miles apart, but 
they didn't see each other until the day of David's funeral.
  In addition to his siblings and parents, David left behind his wife, 
Donna, and their young son, Travis.

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