SR1534 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1534 LRB099 20685 MST 45309 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Specialist Gale Kurk Vogler was born in East Moline to Jess and Margorie Vogler on February 22, 1947; he attended United Township High School in East Moline, where he excelled in baseball and football; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Vogler graduated from high school in June of 1964; after graduating, he went to work at John Deere until he enlisted in the United States Army in May of 1966; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Vogler completed basic combat training at Fort Riley, Kansas and was sent to advance infantry training; after graduation from infantry training, he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, commencing his tour of duty in South Vietnam on December 1, 1966; while in South Vietnam, he was promoted to Specialist 4, and assigned to Company A, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, nicknamed "The Old Reliables", headquartered in the Mekong Delta; and

WHEREAS, On March 11, 1967, Specialist Vogler's unit was participating in a search and destroy operation against a heavily-armed, large body of Communist Viet Cong guerrillas, which had been terrorizing the local population and assassinating political figures loyal to the Government of the Republic of Vietnam, around My Tho and other areas in Dinh Tuong Province; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Vogler's platoon was divided into 2 squads and ordered to sweep an area surrounded by heavy, thick jungle on the outskirts of several hamlets; as his squad prepared to move out, in keeping with his selfless nature, he volunteered to walk point, one of the most hazardous jobs for an infantryman to undertake, let alone volunteer for during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, As Specialist Vogler made his way down the trail, which was shrouded in shadows due to the thick jungle canopy, he activated a tripwire, which detonated a Viet Cong anti-personnel mine; severally wounded, he was medevaced to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital at Long Binh, 25 miles North of Saigon, where he succumbed to his injuries; he died on March 11, 1967 in Vietnam as the result of wounds received when he was hit by fragments from a hostile bobby trap; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Vogler was survived by his wife, Gail Vogler; his father, Jess D. Vogler; his mother, Margorie M. Vogler; his daughter, Ann Vogler-Hos, (who was born 2 months after he was killed in action); his grandson, Travis Grostick; his brothers, Gaylord and Jackie; and his sister, Marlene Vogler; and

WHEREAS, For his service in the defense of the Republic of Vietnam, Specialist Vogler was awarded the following: the Bronze Star Medal; the Purple Heart Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Combat Infantryman Badge, 1st Award; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device (1960); the Good Conduct Medal; and the Sharpshooters Badge with Rifle Bar; and

WHEREAS, From the Government of the Republic of Vietnam, Specialist Vogler was awarded: the Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm; and the Military Merit Medal; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Vogler died in the performance of his mission and his loss has been greatly mourned by both his American and Vietnamese comrades-in-arms; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Specialist Gale Kurk Vogler, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor Specialist Vogler for making the ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Specialist Vogler as an expression of our deepest sympathy and thanks.