Ronald Robert Stroschein

Ronald Robert Stroschein was the first Vietnam War fatality from Clayton County and the only killed from Elkader. He graduated from Central Community High School in 1966 and joined the Marine Corps in the summer after graduation. He trained as a motor vehicle operator and deployed to South Vietnam in April 1968. CPL Stroschein served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in the 1st Marine Division. While stationed at An Hoa Combat Base on September 21, 1968, the enemy “walked-in” artillery and mortar fire across the base. CPL Stroschein was assigned perimeter guard duty when the attack began. He sustained multiple fatal fragmentation wounds during the bombardment. The 20-year-old Iowan’s body was laid to rest at the Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Elkader.