'Fallen Hero' program hits milestone honoring South Dakotans killed, missing in action

15 more bridges to be named in fifth year of initiative highlighting military sacrifices

A bridge named through the state’s Fallen Hero Bridge Program honors SGT. Daniel Busse, killed in Vietnam, near Harrold. (KCCR)

South Dakota servicemen killed action will soon be memorialized along a dozen more state highways.

The state’s Transportation Commission voted Thursday to give final approval to the latest round of veterans to be honored with a bridge naming. Those being honored served in conflicts ranging from service in the second world war to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Middle East.

“This program honors and remembers South Dakota’s fallen heroes, for either those killed or still missing in action while defending our country in an armed conflict,” said Christina Bennett with the state’s Department of Transportation.

The “Fallen Hero Bridge Program,” created during Gov. Kristi Noem’s first term, will have honored over 50 veterans since the programs inception in 2019. Submissions are made by the public to the South Dakota Departments of the Military and Veteran Affairs, who dwindled down the list that the Transportation Commission votes on every April.

Once approved, the state works with family members to pick a bridge, most often in or near their loved one’s hometown communities. Ceremonies and sign unveilings commemorating the landmark’s new moniker typically follow.

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“Sometimes the families are specific about a bridge, or they would like it on a specific highway or near a certain community,” Bennett said. “The list you have has been gone through by both departments and the families.”

This years honorees includes two sets of brothers killed in action during World War II, as well as one of the state’s first service member to be killed during the Vietnam War.

The full list of veterans honored and the location of their bridges is below:

T/5 Harald Haraldsen, WWII, Army. Wounded and killed in action Oct. 7, 1944. (US-85 bridge over South Fork Grand River just south of Buffalo)

LT. Donald Harms. WWII, Army. Killed in action in battle near Einruhr, Germany, 2nd Reconnaissance Troop, 2nd Infantry Division May 18, 1945. (US-18 bridge over an unnamed creek three miles west of SD 37.)

SGT. Frederick H. Harms. WWII, Army.  Killed in action by shrapnel from artillery shell at a battle line east of Manila, Philippines Feb. 25, 1945. (US-18 bridge over an unnamed creek three miles west of SD 37.)

RM2 Eugene L. Herr. WWII, Navy. Was first reported as MIA when he was serving on the USS Johnston, which was sunk at the Battle of  Samar. Eugene survived the sinking, but died two days later, Oct. 25, 1944, from exhaustion and exposure. (SD 27 bridge over an unnamed creek a little over a mile north of Pierpont.)

LT. LeRoy M. Herr. WWII, Army. PV1 Ventura bomber crashed while flying over Catalina Island Sept. 25, 1945. (SD 27 bridge over an unnamed creek a little over a mile north of Pierpont.)

RM2 Ordien F. Herr. WWII, Navy. On June 8, 1943, a transport carrying personnel to Sydney, Australia crashed leaving Tontouta Airfield, New Caledonia. Approximately three minutes after takeoff the plane was seen going into a low turn and  disappear from sight. During the initial climb, one of the engines failed. The pilot tried to return to the airfield, but the aircraft stalled and crashed in St. Vincent's Bay a few miles from the airfield. The wreckage of the plane  was located in the water of St. Vincent's Bay about 100 yards from shore. A total of 24 men were killed. (SD27 bridge over un-named creek  a little over a mile north of Pierpont.)

PFC John Tuin. Korean War, Army. Missing in Action, Presumed Dead. On October 6, 1952 the Chinese overran his position. Tuin's body was never found. (SD 28 bridge over Big Sioux River a little over a mile west of Estelline.)

CPL Russell N. Ferdig. Vietnam War, Army. Killed Sept, 8, 1968, died of wounds from ground casualty. (477th Ave bridge over I-29 at Exit 15.)

SGT. Lelund M. Kahler. Vietnam War, Army. Killed on April 8, 1969 by enemy sniper fire, while crossing a river. (US-85 bridge over Belle Fourche River in Belle Fourche.)

1 LT. Daniel J. Kirchgesle. Vietnam War, Army. Killed Aug. 21, 1969 in a search and clear operation near the village of An Lam in Quang Tin Province,  Republic of South Vietnam.. (US-16B bridge over Rapid Creek in Rapid City.)

SGT. Dennis D. Lawver. Vietnam War, Army. Killed May 1, 1968, in hostile ground action. (SD 45 bridge over Crow Creek about 18 miles south of Miller.)

CPL John C. McDowell. Vietnam War, Army.  Experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life Jan. 9, 1968. Hostile, died of wounds. (SD 44 bridge over Andes Creek just west of US-281.)

SGT. Terry G. Rada. Vietnam War, Army. Killed in action by enemy grenade June 9, 1969. (SD 50 bridge over Pease Creek east  of Lake Geddes.)

1 LT. Josef L. Thorne. Vietnam War, Army. Killed when the Huey Helicopter he was flying was shot down in Vietnam April 19, 1965. First South Dakota service member killed in Vietnam, 21st name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. (SD 46 bridge over West Brule Creek, about four miles east of Beresford.)

PFC Gunner D. Becker. OEF/OIF (Iraq). Died Jan. 13, 2005 of a gunshot wound to the head. (SD 34 westbound bridge over James River just southeast of Forestburg.)

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