Purple Heart & Bronze Star Recipient Is Rapid City's November Veteran of the Month

RAPID CITY, SD--Alan Kruse, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient who served seven months on the front lines in Vietnam, has been named Rapid City's Veteran of the Month for November.  Kruse was recognized by the City at the November 20 City Council meeting.

            The City's Veteran of the Month recognition is provided in partnership with the Veterans Coordination Commission.

            Kruse entered service in 1967 and arrived in Vietnam shortly before Thanksgiving.  Assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) of the 28th Infantry at Base Camp Quan Loi, Kruse's first duty was as perimeter guard and night ambush for the Base Camp's airstrip.  He experienced only light enemy contact until the January-February 1968 Tet Offensive.

            In June 1968, Kruse was serving as a rifleman with his company during a reconnaissance mission near the village of An My.  His company came under fire.  Noticing a machine gun crew had sustained injuries, Kruse disregarded his personal safety and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded soldiers.  Successfully completing the evacuation, Kruse continued engagement with the insurgents and assisted friendly forces in regaining fire superiority over the Viet Cong in the area.  Kruse received the Bronze Star with Distinguished Valor in Combat for his actions.

            He engaged the enemy in the jungle, rice patties and rubber plantations of Vietnam.  In July 1968, Kruse's front-line duty ended after he was wounded and evacuated from the region.  He received a Purple Heart.

            Upon his release from the hospital, Kruse provided security guard services to US Army Vietnam Headquarters at Long Binh Post, to Generals William Westmoreland and Creighton Adams, and to the WAC Attachment living quarters. 

            Kruse received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1969, receiving the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Distinguished Valor in Combat, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Distinguished Valor in Combat, National Defense Service Medal, among other service medals and citations.

            After discharge, Kruse worked for Brink Electric Construction Company for 41 years. 

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Thank you,

Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator

T: 605.721.6686 | M: 605.939.8551

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W: www.rcgov.org

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