Mankato High School Class of ‘68
17 Veterans

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  Ash, Richard
    US Marines Corps- Staff Sergeant E-6
 

Air Combat Crew Wings, VietNam Campaign Medal. VietNam Service Medal. Unit Citation Medal, Good Conduct Medal

El Toro Ca and VietNam

1968-1974

 

     

 

      
 
  Beckwith, Marlin
    US Army- SP5
 

 

     

 

      
 
  Busch, Roger
    US Navy- Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5)
 

Seaman Apprentice (E2)

NTC San Diego, CA

 

     
I entered US Navy on 11/5/1968 and was Honorably Discharged on 4/14/1972. I completed Basic Training in March 1969 with enlisted rank of Seaman Apprentice (E2), and remained in San Diego to attend Storekeeper (Supply and Logistics Support Specialty) Class A Service School for about 3 months. In June1969, I was ordered and reported to Naval Communications Station, Cheltenham, Maryland (close to Andrews Air Force Base).

 

      
 

Seaman (E3)

NAVCOMMSTA Wash DC

 

     
Following 6 months of Supply Department orientation and training, I reported to US Navy Radio Station at Sugar Grove, West Virginia. https://theintercept.com/2017/08/12/film-the-tiny-west-virginia-town-haunted-by-an-nsa-secret/ During that time, I performed lead Supply Department duties supporting base personnel and facilities public works operations and Communications Operations Logistics Support requirements.

 

      
 

Petty Officer 3rd Class (E4)

NAVRADSTA Sugar Grove W Va

 

     
While at Sugar Grove, W VA, I was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class (E5). In May 1971, I was ordered and reported to US Navy Amphibious Command, Coronado California for Vietnam culture and military operations training. In July 1971, I was ordered and reported to US Navy Support Activity Saigon, Republic of Vietnam.

 

      
 

Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5)

NAVRADSTA Sugar Grove W Va

 

     
During the period known as Vietnamization, I was assigned to Logistics Support at US Navy PBR (Patrol Boat River) Mobase II, in the Mekong Delta near the village of Tan An. During that 5-month period, I helped train Cambodian Naval personnel to assume command and control of PBR MoBase II. In December 1971, the Cambodian Navy assumed command and control and I was assigned to Naval Ordnance Activity, Vung Tau.

 

      
 

Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5)

NAVSUPACT Saigon RVN

 

     
Internal Vietnam US Navy combat operations (SEALS, PBRs, Swift boats, Seawolves (Huey Helicopter gunships and troop support) and Naval Air operations were closing or being turned over to Vietnamese military. I assisted in the last Logistics Support movement of Naval ordnance explosives and munitions to Naval Ordnance Activity, Subic Bay Philippines.

 

      
 

Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5)

NAVSTA Long Beach, CA

 

     
Like most US Navy personnel serving in Vietnam, I was extended the privilege of applying for early separation from active duty, which I accepted and was Honorably Discharged from the US Navy on April 14th, 1972 at US Naval Station, Long Beach California. For my US Navy and Vietnam military service, I was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star. On June 30, 1986, I entered Federal Civilian Service as an Information Technology Specialist with the Defense Logistics Agency http:\\www.dla.mil at the Defense Supply Center, Columbus Ohio, where I continue to be part of a worldwide Logistics Business and Supply Chain Enterprise providing superior support to our military services and their military personnel.

 

      
 
  Childs, Bill
    US Navy
 

 

     
Spent (4) years in the Navy (21 mos. in Viet Nam).

 

      
 
  Christensen, John W
    US Marines Corps
 

 

     
I served 11 years in the USMC, including a combat tour in Vietnam.

 

      
 
  Dezotell, David
    US Navy
 

Long Beach, CA

 

     
1968-1970 Vietnam.

 

      
 
  Olson, Chuck
    
 

 

     
1970-1972.

 

      
 
  Orcutt, Mike
    US Navy- Second Class Petty Officer
 

Yokosuka, Japan

68-70

 

     
68-70, they trained me to be a plumber. First was assigned to public works Yokosuka, Japan. Did remodeling of on base buildings and navy family housing. Was there two years .

 

      
 

Antartic

May, 71

 

     
May 71, to Antartic support summer activities.

 

      
 

Antartic

Nov, 71

 

     
Nov 71, I deployed to a small Antartic station below the southern tip of South America . Station name is Palmer Station. My main mission was to overhaul the two evaporators. They are used in the Winter to distille sea water to drinking water. Worked 14 hour days, but Sundays only 4 hours.

 

      
 

Rhode Island

Feb 72

 

     
Feb 1972, sent back to Rhode Island and ran the skeet and trap range till i was released from active duty in Sept.

 

      
 
  Otto, Richard
    Army Corps of Engineers
 

 

     

 

      
 
  Michels, Warren
    National Guard
 

Minnesota

25 years

 

     
Minnesota army National Guard, 1/125th FA, 21 years retired Major.

 

      
 
  Polinski, Gary
    US Navy
 

Norfolk, VA

1968-1970

 

     
USS Orion AS-18, Sub tender

 

      
 
  Reiland, Michael
    US Air Force- TSGT
 

68-72 Bitburg and Spangdahlen AFB, West Germany.

 

     

 

      
 

72-74 Luke AFB, Arizona.

 

     

 

      
 

74-75 Udorn, Thailand.

 

     
South East Asia’s, SEA

 

      
 

75-78 Hahn AFB, West Germany.

 

     

 

      
 

1978-2014 Reserve, Air National Guard.

 

     
Lambert International Airpot, st Louis, MO, 1978-2014, F4E, F15C/D. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. Worked Military contracts F4C/D/E aircraft and foreign Countries who flew them, maintenance, writing engineering documents, Flight Trainers, Flew them in flight simulators, F15, F18, F22. My job while in the AF was Ejection Seats, maintaining them. Also modify them when aircraft was being updated.

Working with the difference of aircraft that manufacturing by McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing aircraft corporation. My job in the military was in hand in hand with my 30 year career working for these corporations. While I was their, I worked in engerring in flight simulators. F15, F 18, F 22, and Apache hilecopter, design, techcal updates and computers. Other aircraft that at this time I can’t mention. Traveled around the world over 100 times doing my job. Europe, South East Asia, Middle East and United States. A job only people dream of.

 

      
 
  Smith, Craig
    US Navy
 

1968-1970 Vietnam.

 

     

 

      
 
  Stolt, Gary
    US Air Force
 

 

     

 

      
 
  Yetter, Steve
    US Army
 

 

     
1969-1972, One tour in Vietnam 1970-1971 Plieku 362nd signal company Det. 10.

 

      
 
  Wels, Calvin
    US Army
 

 

     
I joined the Army in 1969. Served three years as a translator, returned to Minnesota to complete my degree at the University of Minnesota. Then worked for the U.S. Department of State in Portsmouth NH.

 

      
 

 

 

Honor Roll

 

 

FindAGrave Class of ‘68
FindAGrave Teachers
Persons from Minnesota who died in the Vietnam War

 

 

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