Vietnam
-
MIA
Fallen
Grassy Butte, ND
Circumstances:
In Kontum, South Vietnam
Hostile, died while missing, Ground Casualty
Declared deceased Oct 5, 1978
From DPAA:
On February 28, 1971, a four-man artillery forward observer team attached to an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) unit operating in South Vietnam came under attack by enemy forces and was forced to take a defensive position. The next day, March 1, the unit’s position was overrun and the survivors were forced to evade enemy capture. Three men from the forward observer team managed to avoid capture and return to friendly positions; however, the fourth team member did not reach safety and was not seen or heard from again.
Staff Sergeant Deland Dwight Zubke, who joined the U.S. Army from North Dakota, was a member of Battery B of the 7th Cavalry Battalion, 15th Artillery Regiment, 52nd Artillery Group. He was the radio operator for the forward observer team, and disappeared after their position was overrun on March 1. He never returned to duty, and his remains have not been located or identified. Today, Staff Sergeant Zubke is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.
If you are a family member of this service member, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.
Biography:
Staff Sergeant Zubke was a member of Battery B, 7th Battalion, 15 Artillery Regiment, 52 Artillery Group. On March 1, 1971, he was a radio operator for an artillery forward observer team in South Vietnam, when his position was overrun by the enemy. His remains were not recovered.
He enlisted in the United States Army and entered service via Regular Military. His military occupation or specialty was Radio Operator. Service number assignment was 502584008, attached to I Field Force Vietnam, 7th Battalion, 15th Artillery, Battery B.
Zubke was born on October 28, 1951, in Grassy Butte, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Deland Dwight Zubke is memorialized at Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location. He is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, DC, name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 04w, Line 17.