Vernon Leo Okland

Vernon Leo Okland was a graduate of Lake Mills High School in Winnebago County before joining the Army in December 1968. Okland completed his training at Fort Polk, LA and was sent to Vietnam in July 1969. There he served with the 101st Airborne Division as a rifleman in the northern portion of South Vietnam. On May 5, 1970 SGT Okland was killed by wounds sustained during combat. His unit engaged the enemy on Hill 714 northwest of Firebase Veghel. Six other Americans were killed during the incident. His parents buried his 21-year-old body at the Center Lutheran Cemetery in Leland.