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In Memory of U.S. Army Sergeant

Daniel Morris Noeldner

South Shore, South Dakota, Codington County

November 9, 1945 – March 6, 1969

Killed in Action in Pleiku, Vietnam

         

Daniel Morris Noeldner was born November 9, 1945, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Gottfried “Morris” and Jessie (Hannah) Noeldner. He had one sibling, his brother, Eugene. He attended South Shore High School where he participated in cross country and track. When he graduated in 1963, he attended South Dakota State University in Brookings and then transferred to Wahpeton School of Science where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in electronics. He liked to hunt in his spare time, and he helped his father with the farm.

Daniel Morris Noeldner was drafted into the service on October 10, 1967. He was trained at Fort Lewis, Washington. He then had training for medics at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Sergeant Daniel Noeldner went overseas to Vietnam on April 20, 1968, as part of the Headquarters/Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Sergeant Noeldner was stationed in various areas of Vietnam. He was wounded in action twice before his death. The first wound was caused by a mortar round. The second wound was “by a tripped mine by another person while he was helping a wounded soldier.” As a result, Sgt. Noeldner was sent on R & R in Australia to heal from wounds and broken eardrums. He later volunteered for his last mission to go on patrol with his friends. Sergeant Noeldner’s last letter home came from Australia and arrived one day before his family was notified of his death. In his letter he wrote that he only had a month and a half left in Vietnam.

Daniel Morris Noeldner was killed in action in the Pleiku Province, Vietnam, on March 6, 1969. Sergeant Noeldner died while on a mission saving the lives of two others at the cost of his own. Two officers came to Sergeant Noeldner’s mother’s farm and notified her of his death. His body was then returned to the United States. His funeral was on March 17, 1969. His burial with military honors was at St. Luke’s Cemetery in the Germantown Township in Codington County.

Among Daniel’s awards were three Purple Hearts, two of which were for “wounds prior to his death. He also was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Good Conduct Medal. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross for “extraordinary heroism” and the citation is as follows:

Daniel’s only surviving next of kin is his brother, Eugene Noeldner, who said in closing, “He was my only brother; our family has missed him greatly through the years. His father had died in December 1967 which left his mother to be very proud of her son.”

This entry was respectfully submitted by Wick Devon Carr, 8th Grader, Spearfish Middle School, February 9, 2006. The information for this entry was provided by Eugene Noeldner, brother, South Shore, South Dakota, 35th Infantry Regiment Association at http://www.cacti35th, and an application for a SD veteran’s bonus. Profile approval by Eugene Noeldner.