State Heroes

First Lieutenant Roy O. Yonker

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:97th Squadron

Date of Loss: September 14, 1944 / Age: 22

Killed in action near England. 

First Lieutenant Marvin E. Albertson

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:350th Fighter Squadron

Date of Loss: October 27, 1944 / Age: 24

On October 27, 1944 he was piloting his P-51 Mustang #44-14422 during a training flight when he collided with the P-51 42-14791 and crashed at Wilden, Worcestershire, England.

Private William Vedaa

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: December 26, 1944 / Age: 35

Died in service in the Mediterranean Area

Private First Class Johannes "Johnny" Gehring

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:28th Infantry Division

Date of Loss: December 16, 1944 / Age: 21

Army Private First Class Gehring experienced a critical situation which ultimately resulted in the loss of his life near Belgium.

Second Lieutenant Russell Reykjalin

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:34th Field Artillery Battalion

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:Ninth Infantry Division

Date of Loss: July 13, 1944 / Age: 34

Killed in action near France.

Private Christ A. Christiansen

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:3rd Armored Division

Date of Loss: September 19, 1944 / Age: 34

Killed in action in Germany

Private First Class Harry Thomas

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: July 11, 1944 / Age: 29

Killed in action in France

Sergeant Paul S. Johnson

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:90th Infantry Division

Date of Loss: June 11, 1944 / Age: 27

Killed in action in France

Second Lieutenant Russel Loyd Kruger

New Salem, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:12th Infantry Regiment

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:4th Infantry Division

Date of Loss: June 15, 1944 / Age: 22

Killed in Action at the Battle of Hedgerows in Normandy, France on June 15, 1944 at the age of 22. His only child Russel "Rusty" was born 7 months later. 

Sergeant Jack Ell

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:20th Infantry Division

Date of Loss: July 04, 1944 / Age: 27

Killed in action in France

Captain John D. Rice

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:82nd Airborne Division

Date of Loss: May 12, 1944 / Age: 24

Died in service in Peterbaraugh, England

Lieutenant Clayton E. Nelson

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Date of Loss: August 04, 1944 / Age: 44

Died in service in the Pacific Area

Private Julius J. Koehler

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: March 10, 1944 / Age: 35

Died in service at Camp Rimini, Montana

Private Relmond C. Amsbaugh

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:4th Infantry Division

Date of Loss: July 12, 1944 / Age: 20

Killed in action 12 Jul 44 France

Ensign Ernest O. Lidstrom Jr.

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Date of Loss: November 06, 1944 / Age: 20

Died in service in a routine training flight near Jacksonville, Florida after his plane crashed in the ocean.

Private Delmar M. Souther

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: December 21, 1944 / Age:

Killed in action near Belgium.