[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3494-3496]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




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

  Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, today I rise to speak about and honor 
our Nation's Vietnam veterans, particularly North Dakota's Vietnam 
veterans. Since I took office, I have made it a priority to travel 
throughout North Dakota to meet with my State's veterans, so many 
wonderful men and women who continue to serve not only their country 
but also our State and their communities. All these veterans deserve a 
place of honor in our society.
  We are in the midst of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war. On 
May 25, 2012, President Obama issued this proclamation calling on the 
Nation to honor Vietnam veterans and to honor particularly those brave 
servicemembers who gave their lives in service to their country.
  This special period of honoring our Vietnam veterans runs through 
2025. Today I follow up on a commitment I made last year. I want to 
focus on North Dakota's soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam. In 
this effort, I have partnered with students from Bismarck High School 
in researching these soldiers. I want to thank their instructors, Lori 
Forde, Sara Rinas, and Allison Wendel for coordinating this project and 
sharing their students' research with my office. I think this is a 
wonderful partnership to explain and to research a war that was long 
forgotten for many of these young students.
  Throughout this effort I want to make sure our Nation never forgets 
the needs of our Vietnam veterans. I want to make sure our Nation 
continues further to honor them. I have a poster that we have created 
that will be placed in every one of our offices, both in Washington, 
DC, and in my various State offices. I am hopeful we will be able to 
distribute this poster throughout all of the veterans service 
organizations in North Dakota as we continue this period of 
remembrance.
  In North Dakota, we take much pride in our history and devotion to 
service. When our Nation, our State, and our community are called, 
North Dakotans stand up--no matter what the cost. And 198 sons of North 
Dakota did not make it home from the Vietnam war; 198 sons of North 
Dakota gave their lives in service to the freedom of this country. 
These sons, brothers, and fathers have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  Today, I want to honor them individually by talking about the lives 
of these individuals--some of these individual members. I intend 
throughout this Congress to come to the floor and remember each one of 
them individually and remember each one of their sacrifices.


                             David Elsbernd

  So today, I begin with David Elsbernd. He was born June 28, 1949, and 
he was from the community of Crosby. He served in the Army in the 196th 
Light Infantry Brigade. The date of his death was September 9, 1969. He 
was 20 years old. David had a sister and three brothers--one who also 
served. The brother who also served was injured in Vietnam. David's 
father remembers him as a kind, generous person who thought of everyone 
else first.
  Fellow soldier Paul Hughes wrote the book ``The Light Within,'' which 
includes an account of David's death. David's family is thankful to his 
fellow soldiers and friends for taking care of him.


                              Elroy Beier

  Elroy Beier was born February 26, 1947, and grew up in Langdon. He 
served in the Army in the 101st Airborne Division. His date of death 
was May 5, 1968. He was 21 years old. He had three brothers and one 
sister. His mother Violet was proud to be a Gold Star Mother and was a 
member of the VFW and the American Legion Auxiliary.
  Elroy played basketball for Langdon Area High School. In Vietnam, 
Elroy was injured while firing at opposing forces to help his fellow 
soldiers return to safety. Despite his injury, Elroy refused to return 
to the United States.

[[Page 3495]]

After healing, he bravely stood his ground in a firefight to help his 
fellow soldiers but was fatally wounded.
  Elroy's nephew, Marcus, was inspired by Elroy's bravery and sacrifice 
and, as a result, he joined the military.


                              John Lundin

  John Lundin was born February 3, 1932. His hometown was Sentinel 
Butte. He served in the Army, Advisory Team 91. The date of his death 
was April 25, 1970. He was 38 years old. John was the oldest of eight 
children.
  While stationed in Germany, he met and married Charlotte. When he was 
killed in action, he left behind Charlotte and 3 children, ages 14, 9, 
and 4.
  Before his deployment to Vietnam, the Army taught him the Vietnamese 
language. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in 
action and the Bronze Star for valor. John's family cherishes the 
letter the Army gave them describing John's heroism the day he died, 
when he sacrificed himself by drawing fire away from his fellow 
soldiers.
  I want to give special thanks to Bismarck High School students Emily 
Schmid, Brittany Hawkinson, McKenzie Rittel, and Shelby Wittenberg for 
reaching out to John Lundin's family and learning this important 
information about John's life and his extraordinary service.


                              Marvis Briss

  Marvis Briss was born November 6, 1948. He grew up in Binford. He 
served in the Army, 11th Battalion, 9th Infantry Division. He died May 
28, 1969, at the age of 20.
  Marvis grew up on a farm, and his siblings remember him as a 
wonderful brother. His family is honored that he was so brave. He 
earned the Air Medal for meritorious achievement, outstanding degree of 
professionalism, and devotion to duty, and the Army Commendation Medal 
for heroic actions in keeping with the highest traditions of military 
service.
  Marvis was pictured in the 1969 LIFE magazine article about the 242 
American soldiers killed in 7 days in the Vietnam war.


                              Kenyon Bean

  Kenyon ``Ken'' Bean was born May 25, 1946. He grew up in Williston. 
He served in the Army, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. His date 
of death was May 19, 1967. He was 20 years old. Ken was the oldest of 
three. Ken's sister Cheryl and brother Lowell remember his wonderful 
sense of humor and his strong desire to farm.
  He earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the National Defense 
Service Medal for heroism in his attempt to move his critically injured 
platoon leader to safety while under sniper fire.
  His commanding officer cited Ken's courageous self-sacrifice and 
inspiring bravery as reflecting great credit upon himself and the U.S. 
Army.


                               Paul Wolos

  Paul Wolos was born July 22, 1947. He is from Canada, but he enlisted 
in Fargo. He served in the Marine Corps, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, 
1st Marine Division. He died May 28, 1967. At the time of his death, he 
was 20 years old.
  His uncle, a U.S. Marine, sponsored him so that as a Canadian he 
could enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. Paul was proud to volunteer and 
to serve the United States as a marine so he could fight communism.
  Paul signed a noncitizen waiver so he could serve in-country in 
Vietnam with his unit. One story that his friends recall is on a 
hunting trip Paul was so proud of his service as a U.S. Marine, that 
when he went home for Christmas after basic training, his friends joked 
that Paul didn't take his uniform off once.


                             David Berdahl

  David Berdahl was born January 16, 1953. He grew up in Minot. He 
served in the Army, 101st Airborne Division. His date of death is 
stated to be January 20, 1972. He was 19 years old when he went 
missing.
  David is the first son born of 13 children. His family remembers him 
as always helping others. During the Minot floods of 1969, the family 
moved to safety, but David stayed in town, sandbagging all night long.
  At age 17, David expressed interest in joining the Army, but his mom 
asked him to wait. At 18, he joined on his own.
  In Vietnam, he started as a helicopter mechanic. He offered to go on 
a helicopter rescue mission, but the helicopter was shot down, causing 
it to catch fire and costing David his life.


                         Richard ``Dick'' Olson

  Richard ``Dick'' Olson, born June 8, 1949, grew up in Grand Forks. He 
was in the Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. His date of death 
was April 26, 1968. He went missing at age 18.
  Richard was survived by his parents, two sisters, and a brother. He 
loved to sing and was in a band for some of his teenage years. His 
sister, Roberta, remembers his generosity and tells about how Dick once 
bought groceries for a friend in need and how once Dick literally gave 
the shirt off his back so his friend would have a nice shirt to wear 
the day he enlisted in the Marines. Dick entered the Marine Corps at 
age 17 and was killed in action 1 year later.


                              Merlin Laber

  Merlin Laber was born September 5, 1947, and grew up in Sykeston. He 
served in the Army, 198th Light Infantry Brigade. The date of his death 
was May 14, 1969. He was 21 years old.
  He was the oldest of nine children; he had four brothers and four 
sisters. His father served in World War II. Two of his brothers also 
served in the military, one in Korea and Vietnam and the other in the 
Middle East. Merlin loved cars, and he held the Sykeston record in 
track. He was also featured in the 1969 LIFE magazine article about the 
242 American soldiers killed in 7 days in the Vietnam war.


                          Thomas ``Tom'' Beyer

  Tom Beyer was born March 10, 1941. He grew up in Fargo. He served in 
the Air Force, 20th Tactical Support Squadron. His date of death was 
July 30, 1968. He was 27 years old when he went missing.
  He was survived by his wife Karen and his two children, Sandra and 
Steven. He was preceded in death by one son, John. The family remembers 
Thomas as a wonderful person. He graduated from NDSU and enjoyed his 
family, flying, playing the piano, hunting, and golf. After his death, 
he was promoted from captain to major. His remains were recovered and 
laid to rest in Fargo in 2010.


                             Charles Wendt

  Charles Wendt was born February 24, 1947, and grew up in Dickinson. 
He served in the Army, 4th Infantry Division. His date of death was 
June 5, 1968, and he was 21 years old. His father, also named Charles 
Wendt, served in the Army.
  Prior to joining the Army at age 20, Charles worked for Viegel 
Engineering, which is now KLJ, one of the most prominent engineering 
firms in the State of North Dakota.


                             Douglas Pierce

  Douglas Pierce was born September 24, 1952. He was from Illinois, but 
he was living in Fargo when he enlisted. He served in the Army, 1st 
Cavalry Regiment. His date of death was November 26, 1971, and he was 
19 years old.
  His father worked as a VA hospital administrator in several cities, 
including Fargo. Two brothers, Vince and Mark, also died as a result of 
the Vietnam conflict. Doug was a straight-A student, an A-plus student 
who wanted to serve his country. He loved Appaloosa horses. His twin 
sister, Debby, fondly remembers the day when, as children, they 
attended a Hollywood parade and Doug ran into the street to pick up and 
keep the horseshoe that fell off of the foot of Roy Rogers' horse, 
Trigger.


                             Dale Amundson

  Dale Amundson was born July 11, 1948. He was from Finley and served 
in the Army, 1st Infantry Regiment. October 30, 1968, was his date of 
death at the age of 20.
  One of his nephews is named after him. His nephew is named Dale. In 
high school, he was one of the charter members of the first FAA chapter 
in Finley. Private First Class Amundson died about 2 months after 
beginning his service in Vietnam.


                             William Backer

  William Backer was born June 28, 1949. He was from Mandan. He served 
in

[[Page 3496]]

the Marine Corps, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. His date of death 
was January 12, 1968. He died at the age of 18.
  William was a third-generation veteran. His grandfather served in the 
Army in World War I and was awarded the Silver Star. His father served 
in the Army in World War II. William had three brothers: Paul, Jim, and 
John. William's brothers remember him as a dedicated marine who gave 
his life for a cause in which he strongly believed. They cherish the 
memories and the stories they keep in their hearts today about their 
brother.


                        Gilbert ``Gil'' Bargmann

  Gil Bargmann was born July 26, 1950. He grew up in Hannover, served 
in the Army, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment. He died on June 19, 
1969, at the age of 18.
  Gil had three brothers and two sisters. He grew up on a dairy farm in 
the Hannover area. One of his squad brothers credits Gil for saving his 
life by covering his flank the day Gil died.
  Gil's niece, Briana, connected three men who served with Gil in 
Vietnam with Gil's family. Three of Gil's friends and two of their 
wives traveled to Hannover to meet Gil's mother and siblings.
  I am struck as I go through these names and as I review all of the 
people, and I am struck, sitting by children who are maybe just 2 years 
younger than these brave men who served our country. I know it is 
impossible to predict what amazing things they would have done had they 
not sacrificed their lives. So it is so important that we recognize 
their heroism, that we recognize their sacrifice, and that we honor 
them during this period of recognition of the sacrifices of the Vietnam 
war.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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