Military Figure. He is remembered as the last official combat casualty of the Vietnam War just eleven hours before the beginning of the cease fire established by the Paris Peace Accords on January 27, 1973. He became a professor of military science at Central Michigan University at Mount Pleasant, Michigan before joining the US Army. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, acting as an advisor to the South Vietnamese forces in the latter, and rose to the rank of colonel. He was killed at An Loc, Vietnam at the age of 43 when an artillery shell exploded near his position. While other Americans lost their lives after the truce was enacted, these were not recorded as combat casualties. His funeral was broadcast on television and was attended to by many high dignitaries, including US Army General Alexander Haig and US President Richard M. Nixon. Among his military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal for Korea, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. In 1997 he was one of the first members inducted into the Central Michigan University Reserve Officers Training Corps Hall of Fame. In 2006 he was also inducted into the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The William B. Nolde Lecture Series, named in his honor and held at Central Michigan University, was established to promote an understanding of the role of the US Armed Forces in the life and history of the US and to recognize the tie between military science and the broader disciplines within the university. Additionally, the William B. Nolde scholarship was established at Central Michigan University in his memory.
Military Figure. He is remembered as the last official combat casualty of the Vietnam War just eleven hours before the beginning of the cease fire established by the Paris Peace Accords on January 27, 1973. He became a professor of military science at Central Michigan University at Mount Pleasant, Michigan before joining the US Army. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, acting as an advisor to the South Vietnamese forces in the latter, and rose to the rank of colonel. He was killed at An Loc, Vietnam at the age of 43 when an artillery shell exploded near his position. While other Americans lost their lives after the truce was enacted, these were not recorded as combat casualties. His funeral was broadcast on television and was attended to by many high dignitaries, including US Army General Alexander Haig and US President Richard M. Nixon. Among his military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal for Korea, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. In 1997 he was one of the first members inducted into the Central Michigan University Reserve Officers Training Corps Hall of Fame. In 2006 he was also inducted into the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The William B. Nolde Lecture Series, named in his honor and held at Central Michigan University, was established to promote an understanding of the role of the US Armed Forces in the life and history of the US and to recognize the tie between military science and the broader disciplines within the university. Additionally, the William B. Nolde scholarship was established at Central Michigan University in his memory.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Advertisement
