SenatorHeitkampofficialWASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of her series of speeches to thank and honor North Dakota’s fallen heroes from the Vietnam War, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp again took to the Senate floor and discussed these servicemembers’ remarkable lives and contributions to North Dakota and the country.

“Nearly two hundred North Dakotans gave their lives for our country in Vietnam, fighting on the front lines to not only keep us safe but also for the ideals we hold most dear,” said Heitkamp. “We must always remember that every one of these men has a story as we recognize and honor the selfless sacrifices each made. I’m proud to represent a state with such a rich tradition of military service and with the continued support of students at Bismarck High School, the families of those North Dakotans lost during the Vietnam War, and folks all across our state, we can continue to honor our fallen heroes today and every day.”

During her speech, Heitkamp honored the following North Dakotans who were lost in the Vietnam War:

 

  • Raphael “John” Frost – Hunter
  • Jon Greenley – Fargo
  • Dan Herdebu – Baldwin
  • Alan “Pete” Hinzpeter – Minot
  • Gerald Allen “Al” Iverson – Oakes
  • Norbert Froehlich – Belfield
  • Gerhardt Just – Wishek
  • Gary Myers – Fort Yates
  • Larry Olson – McHenry
  • Richard “Rick” Borgman – Minot
  • David Bujalski – Carrington
  • Leslie Carter – Jamestown
  • David Corcoran – Grand Forks
  • Wilbert Fleck – Breien
  • Lowell Hardmeyer – Mott
  • Merlyn Paulson – Fargo

 

Last month, Heitkamp began a series of speeches to honor servicemembers from North Dakota who lost their lives in the Vietnam conflict as our country remembers the 50th anniversary of the war. Heitkamp is collaborating with more than 150 eleventh-graders from Bismarck High School to gather information on these fallen North Dakotans and will incorporate their research into her speeches. In March, Heitkamp met with these students in Bismarck and discussed with them the importance of their joint effort to honor the sacrifice and service of the North Dakotans lost in the war.

To view Heitkamp’s new webpage dedicated to honoring North Dakota’s KIA and MIA Vietnam servicemembers – including her speeches on the Senate floor – click here. The website will be updated with all of Heitkamp’s speeches on the Senate floor about these servicemembers. A copy of a poster recognizing these fallen men can also be found here.