John Huelsenbeck

A graduate of Avilla (Indiana) High School, Huelsenbeck was drafted into the U.S. Army in July 1966, assigned to Battery C, 1st Battalion, 44th Artillery Regiment and sent to Vietnam.

In July 1967, 20-year-old Huelsenbeck was operating a “Duster,” an armored open turret tank with twin-mounted 40-millimeter cannons, in support of U.S. Marine operations in the Vietnam. While operating near the Demilitarized Zone in South Vietnam, Huelsenbeck’s unit was ambushed by the North Vietnamese Army.

In addition to his Purple Heart, Mr. Huelsenbeck received numerous commendations and awards, including the Bronze Star with V, the Army Commendation Medal with and more.