State Heroes

Private First Class Wenceslaus J. Novotny

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Company I

Regiment / Group / Brigade: 164th Infantry Regiment

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent: Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 20

Killed in action in the South Pacific

Staff Sergeant Robert J. Burckardt

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Regiment / Group / Brigade: 164th Infantry Regiment

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent: 34th Infantry Division

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 21

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Sergeant Jack E. Geiger

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Regiment / Group / Brigade: 164th Infantry Regiment

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent: Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 21

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

2LT Carl E. Vettel

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Company A, 164th Infantry

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 23

KIA while leading a patrol west of the Matanikau River in the Point Cruz pocket November 21st, he was killed as he threw a hand grenade at an enemy machine gun nest.

Sergeant First Class Virgil A. Lane

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Regiment / Group / Brigade: 164th Infantry Regiment

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent: Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 22

Virgil Lane was killed Nov. 21, 1942, on Guadalcanal while serving with the 164th North Dakota Infantry Regiment in World War II. The Hillsboro Lane-Osmon Veterans of Foreign Wars post is named in honor of Virgil's memory.

2nd Lieutenant Kermit G. Sloulin

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Regiment / Group / Brigade: 164th Infantry Regiment

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent: Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 30

Died in service in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Private Mardel D. Vornholt

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Regiment / Group / Brigade: 164th Infantry Regiment

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent: Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 20, 1942 / Age: 22

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Corporal Raymond J. O'Connell

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: November 20, 1942 / Age: 35

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Private First Class Erwin P. Wilson

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Regiment / Group / Brigade: 126th Infantry Regiment

Date of Loss: November 17, 1942 / Age: 20

Killed in action in New Guinea

Lt. Cmdr. John E. Burke

World War II

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: November 15, 1942 / Age: 37

Killed in action near Guadalcanal.

Machinist's Mate 1st Class Fredick W. Braa

World War II

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: U.S.S. Juneau

Date of Loss: November 13, 1942 / Age: 21

The Juneau, in the early morning hours in near pitch darkness, was first struck on the port side by a torpedo causing a severe list. The Juneau, once dawn broke, then tried to return to Espiritu Santo for repairs along with the battle damaged U.S.S.

Coxswain Lawrence J. Lavey

World War II

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: November 13, 1942 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Seaman 2c Wayne F. Fegley

World War II

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Naval Reserve

Date of Loss: November 13, 1942 / Age: 23

Died while in MIA status. Stationed on the USS Monssen during the Battle of Guadalcanal, when the ship was sunk by a Japanese destroyer. Body was not recovered.

Machinist 1c Duane L. Poissant

World War II

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: November 13, 1942 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Sergeant Clyde G. Morgan

World War II

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: November 10, 1942 / Age: 21

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands