[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5523-5525]
[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, I rise today to continue our efforts to 
honor the Nation's and North Dakota's Vietnam veterans and specifically 
those brave servicemembers who were killed in action during the Vietnam 
war.
  Mr. President, 198 soldiers from North Dakota died while serving in 
Vietnam. Today, I am honored to speak about some of these brave men and 
the stories their families have shared with us.
  I need to credit David Erbstoesser of Bismarck, a Vietnam veteran, 
for his service and for his years of reaching out to the family members 
of these fallen North Dakota patriots. Over the past 20 years, David 
contacted each family to obtain a photo of every servicemember and a 
photo of their gravestone. I am grateful to David for meeting with my 
staff to share his collection of obituaries, news articles, and photos 
he has collected.
  The Bismarck High students and their teachers are also researching 
North Dakota's servicemembers who didn't come home from Vietnam. Today, 
I am happy to include research from BHS's 11th grade students about two 
such men: Gary Myers and David Bujalski.


                         Raphael ``John'' Frost

  The first of our soldiers is John Frost. John was from Hunter. He was 
born on March 16, 1948. He served in the Army's 196th Infantry Brigade. 
John was 20 years old when he was killed on December 20, 1968.
  John was the oldest of three children and helped his dad on the 
family farm. During high school, John participated in the school 
newspaper, choir, the Letterman's Club, a school play, and was a class 
officer. He was also an all-around athlete who earned letters in track, 
baseball, football, and basketball. His mother Lois still remembers how 
proud she was the day he scored 33 points in one basketball game in a 
winning effort.
  After high school, John enrolled at Valley City State College. He was 
a quiet, fun-loving boy who dreamed of returning to his hometown to 
work as a teacher and basketball coach.
  John's mother and brother Kevin remember John's kindness, especially 
toward his Grandma Alice while she was staying with the family 
recuperating from breaking her hip. While his parents were out of town, 
John stayed home caring for his grandmother, even making potato 
pancakes for her.


                              Jon Greenley

  Jon Greenley was from Fargo. He was born on January 30, 1942. He 
served in the Air Force's 774th Tactical Aerial Flight Squadron. Jon 
died on January 7, 1966. He was 23 years old.
  Jon was one of three sons. His brother Doug remembers that Jon 
respected authority. Jon sent Doug a letter stating that the only time 
he questioned their parents' judgment was when he was buying a 
lawnmower and they suggested he buy a type he didn't like.
  From a young age, Jon had an interest in planes and in the military. 
He joined the North Dakota Air National Guard. When his parents 
wouldn't take him to see the Air Museum in Ohio, he hitchhiked there.
  Jon attended North Dakota State University and became president of 
the international relations group there. He was named Outstanding ROTC 
of the Air Force and was the first alternate to the Air Force Academy. 
The Fargo AMVETS post, founded in 1980, was named after Jon.
  His body has never been recovered.


                              Dan Herdebu

  Dan Herdebu was from Baldwin. He was born on July 21, 1948. He served 
in the Army's 1st Aviation Brigade. He was 19 years old when he died on 
March 10, 1968.
  Dan and his two brothers attended their two-room school through the 
eighth grade and attended Bismarck High School.
  Dan planned to put his aviation experience to good use by flying 
helicopters for law enforcement or medical facilities someday.
  Dan's older brother Eugene was in basic training when Dan was killed 
in a helicopter crash in Vietnam. After Dan's death, Eugene also served 
in Vietnam in the Army.


                             Alan Hinzpeter

  Alan Hinzpeter was from Minot. He was born on May 12, 1949. He served 
in the Army's 101st Airborne Division. Alan died on September 6, 1971. 
He was 22 years old. Alan was one of four children. His brother Gordie 
also served in Vietnam, and their father served in World War II in the 
Navy.
  Alan's friends and family called him Pete and remember him as a hard 
worker who was smart and generous with his money. He was a jokester who 
liked everyone and whom everyone liked. His oldest sister Jean tells 
about the time he wanted to watch the World Series, so he smoked a 
cigarette at school so he would be suspended. Jean says that Alan was 5 
feet 4 inches but had a big personality. Many people attended his 
funeral and still to this day remember him fondly.


                      Gerald Allen ``Al'' Iverson

  Al Iverson was from Oakes. He was born on May 26, 1947. He served in 
the Army's 9th Infantry Division. He was 20 years old when he died on 
November 1, 1967.
  Al was the second youngest of 14 kids--7 boys and 7 girls. Al's 
siblings say he was a fun-loving brother with red hair and freckles. He 
loved baseball and fishing. He also enjoyed spending time with his 
older siblings' kids, the oldest in his family, and he wanted to get 
married someday and have six kids of his own.
  Al had 3 months left before he was scheduled to return home. He was 
the first Dickey County soldier to die in Vietnam.


                           Norbert Froehlich

  Norbert Froehlich was from Belfield. He was born on March 4, 1947. He 
served in the Army's 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment. Norbert died on 
January 30, 1968. He was 19 years old.
  He was the ninth of 10 kids and grew up on his family farm. Three of 
his brothers also served our country in the military.
  His friends, both in the Army and from high school, remembered 
Norbert as a friend who stuck by them through thick and thin. His 
brother Don says that Norbert was wounded in Vietnam and was supposed 
to be on R&R in Australia but chose to stay in Vietnam to help his 
fellow soldiers. His church in Belfield recognizes him every year on 
the anniversary of his death. After his death, the Army promoted 
Norbert to corporal.


                             Gerhardt Just

  Gerhardt Just was from Wishek and was born October 31, 1925. He 
served in the Army's 1st Aviation Brigade. Gerhardt died on August 27, 
1965. He was 39 years old. He was survived by his wife Lillian, 
daughters Oteeka and Cora, and his son Butch.
  Gerhardt joined the Army, served in Korea, and then reenlisted in the 
Army to provide for his family.
  Gerhardt's oldest child, Oteeka, remembers that it was so important 
for her dad to support his family financially that after his pickup 
caught fire and burned the driver's seat, he put a

[[Page 5524]]

kitchen chair in the cab so he could drive to his second job.
  His kids have memories of spending their last time together working 
on the house he bought them, installing grass in the yard and painting 
the house days before his deployment.
  Gerhardt was killed just a month after arriving in Vietnam.
  Gerhardt's children appreciate how after his death, Gerhardt's 
parents and siblings always welcomed his widow and children into their 
family with open arms.


                               Gary Myers

  Gary Myers was from Fort Yates and was born on November 4, 1947. He 
served in the Marine Corps's 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. Gary was 20 
years old when he died on May 13, 1968.
  Gary's father served in the Army during the Korean war and was 
stationed in Germany, where Gary was born. Gary spent 1 year at 
Dickinson State University before enlisting.
  Gary's sister Linda remembers him as an outgoing person who loved to 
help people when he had a chance. He was an honor student and enjoyed 
playing sports, including wrestling, football, and rodeo. When he 
wasn't busy with sports, Gary was helping his father work on their 
cattle ranch.
  Gary's hometown friends and fellow soldiers reported that Gary was 
killed in Vietnam while leading a mission to retrieve his lieutenant's 
body 1 month before Gary was scheduled to return home to his family in 
the United States.


                              Larry Olson

  Larry Olson was from McHenry. He was born on June 26, 1945. He served 
in the Army's 25th Infantry Division. Larry died on June 19, 1968. He 
was 22 years old.
  Larry's grandfather served in World War I, his father in World War 
II, and his brother and nephews also served our country.
  Larry was the oldest of six children. His sister Rita remembers him 
as the big brother who always watched out for her and kept bullies 
away.
  Larry was a hard worker and a good friend. Fellow soldiers from his 
regiment loved Larry so much that they asked Rita to show them his 
grave.


                        Richard ``Rick'' Borgman

  Rick Borgman was from Minot and was born on January 23, 1947. He 
served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division. He was 21 years old when 
he died on March 3, 1968.
  Rick's mother Anita and sister Pat remember him as a loving, gentle 
person. He participated in Boy Scouts, worked at the Red Owl grocery 
store, and enjoyed fast cars and life in general.
  Rick left behind his widow Linda, his son Shannon, and daughter 
Laura. Linda learned that she was pregnant with Laura shortly after 
Rick's funeral. Linda remembers Rick's big heart, great sense of humor, 
and that he was loved by many. She says she can see Rick whenever she 
looks at Shannon and Laura and that Shannon's laugh is contagious, just 
as his dad's was.
  Linda is grateful that her second husband, Bruce Sullivan, a Vietnam 
veteran, adopted Shannon and Laura and lovingly helped her raise them.


                             David Bujalski

  David Bujalski was from Carrington. He was born on August 18, 1940. 
He served in the Army Corps of Engineers' 65th Energy Battalion. On 
August 15, 1967, David died. He was 27 years old.
  David was the youngest of six children, lovingly called ``Little 
David.'' But after reaching the height of 6 foot 2 inches, his family 
more often referred to cheerful and friendly David as a gentle giant.
  He graduated in the top third of his class from West Point and 
married Barbara. They had a daughter Elizabeth while David was 
stationed in Germany. They moved to Arizona, and David became a 
commander. His first sergeant there was quoted saying, ``He was revered 
by his cadre, loved by his students, and respected by his superiors.''
  David felt a duty to serve in Vietnam, and 8 days after arriving 
there, he was killed by a sniper. His second daughter Kathleen was born 
6 weeks later.
  David's brother Jack, also a West Point graduate, wrote the following 
about his brother:

       David's life was too short for him to have reached his full 
     potential. We can only conjecture as to what he would have 
     achieved, but we do know that he influenced the lives of all 
     who knew him.


                             Leslie Carter

  Leslie Carter was from Jamestown. He was born on November 3, 1943. He 
served in the Navy as a medic. He was 24 years old when he died on July 
1, 1968.
  Leslie left behind his widow Marlys and his daughter Heidi. Leslie 
met Marlys through his brother Douglas. While home on leave, Leslie won 
Marlys over, and the couple later married. A year after their wedding, 
their daughter Heidi was born. Heidi was 5 months old when her father 
died and never had an opportunity to meet him.
  One of Leslie's high school friends, who also served in the Navy, 
James Bitz, called Leslie ``Butch'' and remembers him as one of the 
nicest, most generous people he had ever had the pleasure of knowing.


                             David Corcoran

  David Corcoran was from Grand Forks. He was born on May 5, 1951. He 
served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division. David died on June 26, 
1969. He was 18 years old.
  David was one of five children and the only son. He loved hunting 
with his father, grandfather, and uncles. He also loved cars and 
playing basketball. David helped construct a figure 8 racetrack in 
Grand Forks and was happy to be able to race his own cars on the track 
a few times before being deployed.
  Wanting to serve his country like his World War II veteran father, 
David joined the Army at age 17. His family hoped he would not be 
assigned to a combat unit because he was only 17, but a day after his 
18th birthday, he received his orders to Vietnam.


                             Wilbert Fleck

  Wilbert Fleck was from Breien and was born November 22, 1949. He 
served in the Army's 1st Infantry Division. He was 19 years old when he 
died on July 27, 1969.
  Wilbert was one of 13 children--7 boys and 6 girls. Six of the seven 
boys served in the military.
  Wilbert's brothers and sisters remember him as a selfless and caring 
person. He was always willing to help out a neighbor. He was dedicated 
to caring for his aging parents and was extremely protective of those 
he loved.
  Wilbert died taking charge of his platoon after his platoon leader 
was killed. His sister Pauline says that this was just the kind of 
person he was--always willing to put the needs of others before his 
own. Wilbert was Pauline's best friend.


                            Lowell Hardmeyer

  Lowell Hardmeyer was from Mott. He was born on February 16, 1949. He 
served in the Army's 198th Light Infantry Brigade. He died on June 10, 
1970. He was 21 years old.
  Lowell was the younger of two sons. He was a blue-eyed boy who loved 
horses and grew up on his family farm and ranch in the Prairie Hills.
  In 1967, Lowell graduated from high school and enrolled in the 
National Electronics Institute in Denver before serving in the Army.
  In Vietnam, Lowell had various duties, including rear security guard, 
walking on point patrol, and radio operator. He was killed when his 
company came under mortar attack.
  Lowell's cousin, Lauren, remembers Lowell was a shy, sweet young man. 
Lauren says that Lowell's parents, George and Clara Hardmeyer, grieved 
Lowell's death until their own in the 1990s.


                             Merlyn Paulson

  Merlyn Pauslon was from Fargo and he was born on June 19, 1936. He 
served in the Air Force's 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. He was 35 years 
old when he went missing on March 29, 1972.
  Merlyn was one of nine children, six boys and three girls. Five of 
the boys served their country, three in World War II and two in 
Vietnam.
  Merlyn's brother Bob remembers him as a wonderful boy who people 
couldn't help but love. Bob jokes that Merlyn had personality to burn.

[[Page 5525]]

  Merlyn went missing when his plane was shot down by a surface-to-air 
missile. Fourteen years later, in 1986, his body was finally recovered. 
Years later, his family was finally able to lay him to rest in 
Arlington National Cemetery.
  These are just a few stories that, by sharing today with the Senate 
and sharing today on the floor of the Senate, I hope will remind us all 
of the tremendous sacrifice that not only these young men have provided 
for their country but the sacrifice also of their families, their 
children, and the wives they leave behind, the parents they leave 
behind, and that it is a constant reminder that we must never forget 
the duty to our country and we must never forget those among us who 
have paid the ultimate price.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HATCH. 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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