In Memory of U.S. Army Sergeant
LeLund Morris Kahler was born on December 3, 1948, in
Burke, South Dakota, to Henry and Joyce (Wilkey) Kahler. He
had a sister, LaNyce. His father was the head custodian and
his mother was a teacher in the Belle Fourche School
District. He graduated from Belle Fourche High School in
1966 and went to University of South Dakota in Vermillion
for one year. The Daily Belle Fourche Post said, “LeLund was
an all around athlete in high school.” He had a girlfriend
when he left for the service.
On March 21, 1968, LeLund Kahler was drafted to the army
in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was sent overseas on August
18, 1968, to Vietnam. He was a Squad Leader with Company D,
2nd Battalion, and 39th Infantry. His mother, Joyce, wrote
that LeLund letter’s “were brief but often. He never told us
what he did but they always came with reconnaissance stamped
on the back.” Later, the family learned that reconnaissance
meant that “several were helicoptered out into enemy
territory to assess it for possible military action. At a
specified time they were to be picked up and taken back to
camp.” He also wrote about “the hundreds of acres of
defoliated trees that were sprayed.” He and his fellow
soldiers had no idea that this ‘Agent Orange’ spray was
harmful and walked through the contaminated areas many
times. On March 2, 1969, Sergeant Kahler was wounded near
Cai Be in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart and
returned to active service after a brief hospital stay.
Just 19 days after returning to active duty, Sergeant
LeLund Morris Kahler died of wounds received while on a
reconnaissance mission on April 8, 1969, after he was shot
by a sniper. After his body was returned to the United
States, LeLund Kahler was buried with military honors on
April 17, 1969, at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Sergeant Kahler was awarded many medals and badges. He
got the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, 2 Purple
Hearts, the Air Medal, the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf
Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal
with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and “V,” Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Leaf and Star, Vietnam Combat Medal, Vietnam Service Medal,
Sharpshooter Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense
Medal. The following is the Silver Star citation:
Sgt. Kahler distinguished himself by exceptionally
valorous actions while serving
as the Squad Leader with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 39th
Infantry on a reconnaissance in force mission in Dinh Tuong
Province. After his platoon came under intense fire from a
well entrenched enemy force, Sgt. Kahler crawled across more
than 75 meters of fireswept [sic] terrain and took up an
exposed position to effectively engage the enemy. Later
during the action he
moved a wounded comrade to safety and directed a heavy
volume of suppressive fire at the hostile emplacements. His
valiant actions played a vital role in routing the enemy
force.
A few years back, the Moving Vietnam Wall came to Belle
Fourche and 30 of his classmates who came from South Dakota,
Wyoming, Ohio, California, and Texas, volunteered at the
opening ceremonies. Some of LeLund’s friends and classmates
shared the following memories:
“You were the tall, dark and very cute
boy who even in first grade displayed your sense of
protection and concern for others.”
“You were the one who, as we passed
through grades, was always there with a smile, a
friendly nudge, a mark of consideration and concern for
those around you. Even early on we recognized in you,
your willingness to help others.”
“We remember your eagerness to play
bodyguard at community dances to insure that no one
stepped out of line.”
“How can any of us ever forget Math
class…even when some of the antics got you sent to the
principal’s office, you were undaunted and continued to
think up more, simply to bring a smile to the rest of us
who certainly didn’t have the nerve to do it ourselves.
You were our hero even then.”
“You were the one who stopped the boys
form pushing the merry-go-round too fast so the girls
wouldn’t fall off and skin their knees.”
“You were committed to your role in
school and athletics on the football field, the
basketball court, in track and softball.”
“And without doubt, you were truly
committed to your relationships with others. You were
honest, sincere, and kind. You were the big brother to
many, a bodyguard to those who needed your strength and
protection, a bright smile on what may have been a
cloudy day, and always a friend to all of us. Your life
was cut short way before your time. We miss you, dear
friend. The laughter fades as the years have passed by,
but your memory lives on.”
Kahler family: Joyce, Henry, LaNyce, and LeLund
At the time of his death, Sergeant Kahler was survived by
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kahler of Belle Fourche and his sister,
LaNyce. His current survivors are his mother, Joyce Kahler,
Donna, Texas; and his sister, LaNyce Whittemore, Austin,
Texas.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Kyle Derosier,
8th grade, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota,
on October 4, 2005. Information was provided by the Daily
Belle Fourche Post, issues April 10, 11 and 15, 1969 and
March 20, 1969 and the Vietnam Veterans Bonus Application.
Additional information provided by Joyce Kahler and the
Belle Fourche class of 1966 via Lee Voyles. Approval by
Joyce Kahler.
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