State Heroes
World War II
1942
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
1942
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
1942
2LT Carl E. Vettel
Caledonia, NDWorld 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.
1942
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
1942
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
1942
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
1942
Lt. Cmdr. John E. Burke
Bismarck, NDWorld 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.
1942
Seaman 2c Wayne F. Fegley
Berthold, NDWorld 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.
1942
Machinist First Class Duane Larson Poissant
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Juneau
Date of Loss: November 13, 1942 / Age: 22
The USS Juneau participated in a number of naval engagements during the months-long Guadalcanal Campaign beginning in August 1942.
1942
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.
1942
Coxswain Lawrence J. Lavey
Valley City, NDWorld 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.
1942
Corporal Willard F. Van Alst
Williston, NDWorld War II
Branch of Service: Marines
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Marine Corps
Date of Loss: November 10, 1942 / Age:
Died in a POW camp.
1942
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
1942
PFC Richard G. Colbert
Harlem Township, NDWorld War II
Branch of Service: Army
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: 6th Infantry, 1st Armored Division
Date of Loss: November 08, 1942 / Age: 22
Died while in MIA status.
1942
Private Lester Crows Heart
World War II
Branch of Service: Army
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Company I
Regiment / Group / Brigade: 47th Infantry Regiment
Date of Loss: November 08, 1942 / Age: 33
Killed in action in Africa