In Memory of U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class

Gerald Lloyd Aadland

Sisseton, South Dakota, Roberts County

 March 29, 1945 -- May 30, 1968

Killed in Action in Dak-To, South Vietnam

Gerald Aadland was born in New Effington, South Dakota, on March 29, 1945, but mostly grew up in Sisseton, South Dakota. His parents were Lloyd and Erma (Walz) Aadland. He had seven sisters: Audrey, Donna, Theresa, Kimberly, Deb, Pearl, and Carol. Gerald attended elementary school in New Effington then moved to Sisseton where he attended high school and participated in track and cross country through high school. He also was in football his freshman year and intramurals for most of high school. He graduated in May of 1963 and then worked in Sisseton and in Minneapolis. He is remembered by his classmate, Bob Aiken, as being a really nice guy.

Gerald Aadland enlisted in the service on June 6th of 1967, at Sisseton; he was trained in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, before being sent overseas on November 10, 1967, as a part of 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Division. He was wounded in action in Vietnam in March of 1968 but then returned to active duty.

On Thursday, May 30, 1968, Specialist Fourth Class Gerald Lloyd Aadland died of wounds he received while on night defense position at Dak-To, Vietnam after 6 months’ fighting. He was twenty three years old. His body was returned to the United States with military escort, and he was buried with military honors in the Sisseton cemetery.

Among the awards that he received were two Purple Hearts. Former Governor Janklow once noted that when he attended the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC, the first name that was read was Gerald Aadland, and it made him think that South Dakota should have its own memorial in Pierre, and now it does.

At the time of Gerald Aadland’s death, he was survived by his parents, Lloyd and Erma Aadland, and his seven sisters: Audrey Folkestad, Donna Steiner, Theresa Faas, Kimberly Bruening, Debbie Meland, Pearl Deutsch, and Carol Himle.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Derek Haggerty, 8th grade student, Spearfish Middle School, October 6, 2005. The information for this entry was provided by the Sisseton Courier, including 6/6/68 and 613/68 issue and a Vietnam veterans bonus application. Additional information and photo by Bob Aiken, Spearfish. Profile approval by Theresa Faas.