BISMARCK, N.D. – On behalf of the North Dakota National Guard, Maj. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general, offered condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of North Dakota Guard Soldier Sgt. 1st Class James “Jim” Thiery. He was killed in a highway accident on Sept. 18, near Devils Lake, North Dakota.

“Jim Thiery was an outstanding Soldier who will be greatly missed by our entire organization,” said Dohrmann. “His more than three decades of service to his community, state and nation is worthy of our great respect and admiration. Our entire North Dakota National Guard family grieves with the Thiery family and friends.”

 

Thiery served more than thirty-three years in the military, all with the North Dakota Army National Guard. In his last assignment, Thiery was a combat engineer instructor with the Regional Training Institute at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake.

 

MILITARY BIOGRAPHY (North Dakota Army National Guard 1985-2018)

 

*             Feb. 1985. Enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard as a Combat Engineer with Delta Company, 141st Engineer Combat Battalion, Edgeley, North Dakota.

 

*             June 1986. Completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

 

*             July1986-Dec2002. 141st Engineer Battalion; Edgeley and Mayville, North Dakota.

 

*             Jan 2003-April 2004: Mobilized with the 142nd Engineer Battalion for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

*             May 2004-June2006. 141st Engineer Battalion; Mayville and Fargo, North Dakota.

 

*             July 2006 to present. Engineer instructor with the 164th Regional Training Institute, Camp Grafton Training Center.

 

His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Good Conduct Medal (With Two Loops Bronze Clasp); Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster); National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Service Star); Iraq Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with M Device); Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass); NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with Numeral 2); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with Numeral 2); North Dakota Commendation Ribbon; North Dakota Achievement Ribbon; North Dakota Service Ribbon (Gold Hourglass); and the North Dakota Basic Training Ribbon.  He is also authorized the Driver and Mechanic Badge (with Bar); the Meritorious Unit Commendation; and the North Dakota Outstanding Unit Award.

 

Thiery is survived by his wife Leslye Thiery and four children. His funeral is scheduled for Sept. 22 in Grand Forks.

 

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The North Dakota National Guard is a trained and highly motivated force of about 4,000 Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen.  We are always prepared to provide ready units, individuals and equipment in support of our communities, state and nation.  Always ready, always there.