Colonel William B. Nolde

The Legacy of Colonel William B. Nolde

As an officer, he served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, acting as an advisor to the South Vietnamese forces in the latter. William B. Nolde was killed by shell fire at An Loc eleven hours before the cessation of all hostilities in accordance with the Paris Peace Accords. He was the last official American combat casualty of the war - the 45,914th confirmed death during the conflict. While other Americans lost their lives after the truce was enacted, these were not recorded as combat casualties. During his time in the armed forces, he had accumulated four medals, including the Bronze Star Medal and Legion of Merit. Nolde was on the promotion list to colonel at the time of his death and was posthumously promoted. In 1997, Colonel Nolde was one of the first members inducted into the Central Michigan University Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Hall of Fame. In 2006, Colonel Nolde was also inducted into the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame.

William B. Nolde Scholarship

At Central Michigan University the William B. Nolde Scholarship was established in memory of the Colonel by students, family and friends.

Colonel William B. Nolde Military Career

Burial

Nolde was buried on February 5, 1973 in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery (his widow Joyce was buried beside him in 2005). As the last official combat casualty, his funeral was broadcast on television and was attended by "considerably more brass than the funeral of a field-grade officer would normally command" including General Alexander Haig and President Richard Nixon.

Medals Awarded

Legion of Merit

Bronze Star

Purple Heart

Air Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Bronze Star and Legion of Merit medal recipient, was killed by an artillery shell near An Lộc on January 27, 1973 - 11 hours before the truce that ended the Vietnam War.