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BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The last North Dakota National Guard World War II Soldier known to be residing in North Dakota died in Bowman, N.D. on April 3, just weeks shy of his 97th birthday. Douglas P, “Doug” Burtell, who served in the famed 164th Infantry Regiment, was the last original member of the unit residing in North Dakota.

Burtell was only 16 years old when he joined the North Dakota National Guard in Fargo in late 1940.

Vern Fetch, president of the 164th Infantry Association, said, “I sadly note that our ranks have grown smaller by one with the passing of Doug Burtell”.

Burtell was one of 1,723 Soldiers of the 164th Infantry Regiment based in Valley City, N.D. back then, mobilized in February 1941 for a year of training at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. The regiment would sail into history as the first U.S. Army unit to offensively engage the enemy when they landed at Guadalcanal on October 13, 1942, to reinforce the 1st Marine Division. The 164th is the only Army Infantry Regiment to receive a unit commendation from the U.S. Marine Corps for their actions at Guadalcanal.

Burial for Doug Burtell will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan, N.D. on Thursday, April 8 at 3 p.m.

More details about Doug Burtell and the 164th Infantry Regiment are attached in a news release below.

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