ND Veterans Affairs News: State

Master Sergeant Paulson was a member of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, Ubon Airfield, Thailand. He joined the Air Force and on March 29, 1972, he was a member of the crew of a Spectre Attach Aircraft Gunship II (AC-130A) on a night of reconnaissance mission 56 miles east of Savannakhet in southern Laos. The aircraft was shot down by a Russian surface to air missile. His remains were recovered on March 1, 1986, and identified on June 12, 1987. 

Appointed as Stark, Billings, Grant, and Hettinger Counties CVSO December 2014.
- Appointed Mercer County CVSO November 2024.

Served as Assistant VSO for Stark County March 2012 - December 2014.

Awarded the Stark County Spirit of Excellence Award - February 2023.

Charles Herman Piper Jr served his country during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in the United States Navy and had the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. His military occupation or specialty was Master Chief Boilerman. Service number assignment was 501428265 attached to the USS Robison (DDG-12), 7th Fleet.

He was born on November 21, 1937, in Davenport, Cass County, North Dakota. He graduated from Casselton High School, Casselton, North Dakota, and entered the Navy soon after graduation. He married Marie Lundquist of Portland, Oregon, on May 16, 1964.

Douglas Jack Pierce enlisted in the United State Army via Regular Military. He began his tour on January 1, 1971, and received the rank of Specialist Four. His military occupation or specialty was Single Rotor Turbine Observation Utility Helicopter Repairman, and he was attached to the 1st Aviation Brigade, 7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry, G Troop.

Pierce was born on September 24, 1952, in Waukegan Lake, Illinois, and enlisted while living in Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. He is buried in Carbondale, Illinois. 

He is buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, MO.

Buried in Oakridge-Glen Oak Cemetery Hillside Cook County Illinois, USA Plot: TSA Section, Lot 118, Grave 3

On May 28, 1987, The Joint Casualty Resolution Center passed on to Mrs. Edgar, information that was received from a former RLA Sergeant and then Resistance Fighter refugee who had departed Laos in 1976 that seemingly confirmed the crash and burn of the RF-4C on the mountain, and the finding of the pilot's skeletal remains still inside. William T. Potter's remains have not been turned over to the United States Government.

He is buried in Vashon Island Cemetery - Vashon, Washington.