ND Veterans Affairs News: State

Paul Charnetzki was from Valley City and was born May 25, 1936. He served in the Army's Military Assistance Command--Vietnam Advisers. Paul was 31 years old when he died on February 7, 1968. Paul left behind his wife and five sons. One son, also named Paul, said that his father loved this country and the Army. He was a professional soldier, and he respected and cared for his fellow soldiers. He spent as much time as he could with his sons, settling their fights and pretending to be tackled in their backyard football games.

Aviation Machinist's Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic) Second Class Coons is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. 

He is buried in Section C, Site 143 in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery - Mandan, ND. 

He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery - Grand Forks, ND. 

Ralph A. Copeland was born on November 21, 1936, in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was raised in a military life and followed in his father's footsteps. His father served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. SP4 Copeland enlisted in the Army at Minot AFB, North Dakota and had served for six years. Prior to Vietnam, he was stationed in Germany and began his Vietnam tour on September 13, 1965, assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Company B, USARV.  His loss of life was on November 14, 1965, in South Vietnam.

He is buried in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Saint Thomas, ND. 

He is buried in Calvary Cemetery - Jamestown, ND. 

Joseph William Crary was drafted into the United States Army via the Selective Service and began his tour on March 1, 1970, with the rank of Private First Class.  His military occupation or specialty was Medical Corpsman with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, Headquarters Company.

Joseph Crary was born on April 18, 1945, in Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota to John Paul and Patricia Crary. Loss of life was on May 27, 1970, through hostile action. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Fargo, North Dakota. 

He is buried in Saint Anthony's Cemetery - Belcourt, ND. 

He was an American athlete who competed mainly in the 400-meter hurdles. He competed for the United States in the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome, Italy in the 400-meter hurdles where he won the silver medal. Cliff Cushman was a graduate of Grand Forks Central High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota in 1956. Cushman was an outstanding athlete while running in track for the Redskins, breaking and setting many records.

He is buried in Saint Edward Cemetery - Rolette County, ND.