In tribute to ALL Nebraskans who have defended freedom by serving in the United States military, the Nebraska Athletic Department welcomes nine Nebraska veterans, representing all military branches and conflicts, as Honorary Gate Sentinels for Saturday's Nebraska-Penn State Big Ten Conference game at Memorial Stadium.
**Please click the names below to see bio pages with narratives for each veteran.
Sergeant Ashley Klipfel
Service Branch: United States Army Reserve
Combat Action: Operation Iraqi Freedom (Two Tours - Iraq & Kuwait)
Home Town: Lincoln (Currently Resides in Lodgepole)
Military Specialty: Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Heavy Equipment Transports)
Unit: 443rd Transportation Co., 450th Transportation Btn., 561st Regional Support Grp.
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Star
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary & Service Medals
- Driver & Mechanics Badge w/ Wheeled Vehicle Clasp
- 3 Army Commendatjion Medals
- Numerous Achievement & Service Citations
Sergeant First Class (Ret)
Valerie (Deahn) Kinghorn
Service Branch: Nebraska Army National Guard
Combat Action: Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm
Home Town: Lincoln
Military Specialty: Air Ambulance Combat Signaler
Unit: 24th Medical Air Ambulance Company in Support of the XVIII Airborne Corps
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Aircraft Crewman Badge
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Nebraska Natjional Guard Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon
- Liberation of Kuwait (Saudi Arabia)
- Army Commendation Medal
- Numerous Training, Service, & Achievement Commendations
Chief Hospital Corpsman (Ret)
James Thompson
Service Branch: United States Navy
Combat Action: Vietnam (Two Tours)
Home Town: McCook
Military Specialties: Navy Hospital Corpsman, SAR Corpsman, Combat Marine Corpsman
Units: USS Yorktown, Tonkin Gulf, Search and Rescue; Mekong River Patrol Boats, RVN; Among Others
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
- Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Numerous Citations for Valor & Civilian Medical Assistance
- Military Order of the Purple Heart (Twice)
Aviation Electrician Petty Officer
2nd Class Norman Elvig
Service Branch: United States Navy
Combat Action: Korea
Home Town: Omaha
Military Specialty: Attack Aircraft Electrical Maintenance & Repair
Unit: Navy Fighter Squadron VF-191, USS Oriskany CVA-34,
U.S. Seventh Fleet
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Medal
- Korean Service Medal
- China Service Medal
- Navy Commendatjion Medal
- Navy Good Conduct Medal
Aerographer's Mate 3rd Class
Donald Schuster
Service Branch: United States Coast Guard
Combat Action: WWII - North Atlantic
Home Town: Phillips
Military Specialty: Weather Observer
Unit: USS Woonsocket
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Ribbon
- Honorable Service Emblem
- Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
Staff Sergeant Lloyd "Don" Davis
Service Branch: United States Army Air Corps
Combat Action: WWII -- Europe
Home Town: Lincoln
Military Specialty: Weather Technician
Unit: 8th Air Force, 18th Weather Squadron
Citations and Awards: - European Theater Campaign Ribbon
- Army Good Conduct Medal
Corporal Harold Heins
Service Branch: United States Army
Combat Action: WWII - Europe
Home Town: David City
Military Specialty: Artilleryman
Unit: Battery "C," 546th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion,44th Infantry Division, Third Army
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Medal
- European Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Ribbon
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
Private First Class Kenneth Dahl
Service Branch: United States Marine Corps
Combat Action: WWII -- Pacific
Home Town: Scribner
Military Specialty: Ordinance Carrier
Unit: Weapons Platoon, "Charlie" Company, 1st Marine Division, III Amphibious Corps
Citations and Awards: - National Defense Service Medal
- Pacific Campaign Medal
- Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Letter of Thanks Signed by Harry S. Truman
Electrician's Mate 2nd Class
Edward Guthrie
Service Branch: United States Navy
Combat Action: WWII - Pacific
Home Town: Omaha
Military Specialty: Electrician
Units: USS Whitney - Destroyer Tender, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, T.H.
- USS Banner - Attack Transport, Western Pacific
Citations and Awards: - American Campaign Ribbon
- American Defense Ribbon
- World War II Victory Ribbon
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon
- Navy Occupation Service Ribbon
- Navy Good Conduct Medal
