Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation

No one better embodies our Montana values and commitment to service than veterans. Veterans are a part of the fabric of our state and communities.

Montana’s veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices in defense of our freedoms and our way of life. Even after their time in military service, many Montana veterans have kept the flame of service burning by helping others in their community.

The Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation recognizes outstanding Montana veterans who have selflessly served our country in uniform and made a positive impact in their community. Thirty-one veterans were honored in 2021, fifty-one in 2022, and thirty-nine in 2023.

The deadline to nominate an outstanding Montana veteran for the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation is Monday, October 21, 2024, at 11:59 MST. Recipients of the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation will be listed below once announced and honored in the new year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • The veteran must be a current resident of Montana.
  • The veteran served and was honorably discharged from the U.S. armed services.
    • NOTE: Posthumous awards are not available.
  • The veteran has demonstrated service to his or her community.
  • A veteran may not nominate him or herself.

 

Veteran Commendation

2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation Recipients

  • Eileen Greb of Butte – U.S. Navy, Vietnam
  • David King of Butte - U.S. Marine Corps, 1965-1969
  • Michael Taapken of Butte – U.S. Marine Corps, 1985-1993 
  • Robert Jacobi of Stanford – U.S. Navy, Vietnam
  • Clifford Holmes of Ballantine – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Marvin Brodock of Fort Benton – U.S. Army, 1970-1991
  • Virgil Nelson of Opheim – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Donald Jones of Laurel – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam
  • Nancy Dezell of Hamilton – U.S. Air Force, 2013
  • Sandra Youngbauer of Lewistown – U.S. Army, 1975-1996
  • Daniel Parker of Great Falls – U.S. Air Force, 1996-2018
  • Shannon Wilson of Great Falls – U.S. Army, 1985-1992
  • William Paris of Fort Benton – U.S. Army, 1989-2003
  • Larry Tipton of Columbus – U.S. Navy, Vietnam
  • Larry Ross of Roundup – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Michael Alexander of Park City – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Erick Fehlberg of Eureka – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Edwin Celander of White Sulphur Springs – U.S. Army, 1953-1955
  • Sherman Veltkamp of Bozeman – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Michael Downs of Jordan – U.S. Army, 1969-1999
  • Randy Kemp of Bozeman – U.S. Army, 1971-1995
  • Len Albright of Bozeman – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam
  • Arthur Widhalm of Glasgow – U.S. Air Force, 1964-1994
  • Bradley Barker of Luther – U.S. Army, 1994-2014
  • Cynthia Cohan of Butte – U.S. Air Force, 1981-2009
  • Dale Herd of Havre – U.S. Army, 1988-2012
  • Dale McKnight of Dillon – U.S. Army, Vietnam; Montana National Guard, 1975-2009
  • Dave Haulman of Butte – U.S. Air Force, 1979-1983
  • Edgar Van Vleet of Black Eagle – U.S. Army, 1965-1971
  • Eric Rydom of Bigfork – U.S. Army, 1980-2006
  • Eric Craig Bradley of Livingston – U.S. Army, 1989-2016
  • Frank Tuss of Great Falls – U.S. Navy, 1958-1962
  • Jack Favero of Divide – U.S. Navy, Vietnam; U.S. Army, 1972-1993
  • James Porter of Great Falls – U.S. Navy, Vietnam
  • Kenneth Koehler of Miles City – U.S. Marine Corps,1992-1999
  • Luke Opp of Kalispell – U.S. Marine Corps, 1999-2003
  • Mark Kassube of Denton – U.S. Air Force and Montana Air National Guard, 2001-2022
  • Michael Samples of Butte – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam
  • Michael Lawson of Butte – U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam
  • Mike McManus of Billings – U.S. Air Force, 1987-2007
  • Perry Brown of Helena – U.S Army, Vietnam
  • Richard Liebert of Great Falls – U.S. Army, 1977-2005
  • Richard Berg of Glendive – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Robert Curry of Lewistown – Montana Army National Guard, 2001-2010
  • Robert Longcake of Shelby – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam
  • Ron Milam of Missoula – U.S. Navy, Vietnam
  • Sharon Andersen of Dillon – U.S. Army Reserves, 1994-2002
  • Terri Klepper-Speasl of Coram – U.S. Army, Wyoming National Guard, 1977-1985
  • Theresa Watts of Clyde Park – Montana Army National Guard, 2001-2007
  • Todd Dunlap of Jefferson City - U.S. Navy, 1985-2008

Previous Recipients

2023 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation Recipients

  • Joseph Murnion of Jordan – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Charles Noland of Worden – U.S. Army, 1969-2007
  • Melvin Kieninger of Butte – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Robert Chansler of Butte – U.S. Marine Corps, 1983-1987
  • Daniel Kohr of Butte – U.S. Army, 1968-1982
  • Gordon Doig of White Sulphur Springs – U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War
  • Jason Burr of Red Lodge – U.S. Army, 1990-2005
  • Dustin Andersen of Kalispell – U.S. Marine Corps, 2003-2007
  • Thomas Bianco of Fortine – U.S. Army, 1984-1991
  • Carlos Diaz of Simms – U.S. Army, 2001-2022
  • Jerry Erickson of Troy – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Sean Gifford of Three Forks – U.S. Army, 1999-2020
  • Gerald “Jerry” Glaser of Glendive – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Joseph Gusik of Great falls – U.S. Army, 1950-1953
  • Roger Hagan of Great Falls – U.S. Airforce, 1968-2006
  • Richard Hardy of Stevensville – U.S Navy, Vietnam War
  • Melvin "Fitch" Hons of Scobey – U.S. Air Force, 1963-1967
  • Clinton “Clint” Jacobs of Culbertson – U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War
  • Chante Japp of Wolf Point – U.S. Army, 2007-2013
  • James R. Johnson of Kalispell – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Lonnie Johnson of Plentywood – U.S. Army, 1992-1999
  • Nicholas Jones of Belgrade – U.S. Marine Corps, 2010-2021
  • Mike Lowry of Helena – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Webb Mandeville of Columbus – U.S. Army, 1972-1974
  • Mahlon Manson of Alberton – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Lori Anne Mathieu of Somers – U.S. Coast Guard, 1985-2023
  • David McCann of Helena – U.S Navy, Vietnam War
  • Charles Neal of Helena – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Eric Peterson of Great Falls – U.S. Air Force, 1980-2018
  • Bob L. Radcliffe of Townsend – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Richard Reed of Victor – U.S. Marine Corps, 1991-2022
  • Stephen Sirois of Sunburst – U.S. Army, 2002-2005
  • Karl Swartz of Miles City – U.S. Army, 1994-2019
  • Thomas Teasdale of Anaconda – U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Henry Tuell III of Red Lodge – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • John Zeitz of Lolo – U.S. Army, 1998-2012
  • Wayne R Sand of Essex - U.S. Navy, Vietnam
  • Douglas R Denson of Twin Bridges - U.S. Army, Vietnam
  • Dennis Peterson of Lincoln - U.S. Army, Vietnam

2022 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation Recipients

  • Richard Barnard of Saco – U.S. Army, 1971-1974
  • Kristopher Bartley of Park City – U.S. Army, 2005-2009
  • Terry Ray Beasley of Eureka – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam War
  • Billy Edward Benton Jr. of Great Falls – U.S. Navy, 1979-1999
  • Jamie Buck of Townsend – U.S. Air Force, 1990-2010
  • Robert Bump of Dillon – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Dennis Burns of Great Falls – U.S. Army, 1967-1985
  • Douglas Byron of Glendive – U.S. Army, 1970-1972
  • Dawn Maree Charron of Lincoln – U.S. Air Force, 1986-2014
  • William Dooley of Wolf Creek – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Casey Dusatko of Kinsey – U.S. Army, 2003-2008
  • Jerry Dusatko of Miles City – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Joseph Dusatko of Great Falls – U.S. Army, 2006-2011
  • Neal A. Eveland of Chester – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Robert Eyman of Livingston – U.S Army, 1952-1974
  • Candice Griffith of Great Falls – Montana National Guard, 1998-2018
  • Ken Handl of Livingston – U.S. Air Force, 1963-1967
  • Gregory L. Harbac of Bozeman – U.S. Marine Corp, 1978-2002
  • Dan Hargrove of Billings – U.S. Air Force, 1982-2003
  • James Howe of Bozeman – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Jerry Hudson of Billings – U.S. Air Force, 1966-1970
  • Richard Jackson of Dillon – U.S. Navy, Vietnam War
  • Les Johnson of Havre – U.S. Air Force, 1972-1976
  • Erick Kahila of Missoula – U.S. Marine Corp, 2002-2010
  • Christopher Kemp of Superior – U.S. Marine Corp, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom
  • Bob Larson of Red Lodge – U.S. Air Force, 1966-1992
  • Dean Martin of Lewistown – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Ralph McKinney of Billings – U.S. Marine Corp, 1964-1967
  • Richard McLeod of Butte – U.S. Air Force, 1957-1965
  • Darryl Mendoza of Miles City – U.S. Navy, 1996-2010
  • Robert Dean Miller of Denton – U.S. Army, 1977-2003
  • William Patrick O’Donnell of Great Falls – U.S. Army, 1966-1970
  • Vittorio Ottanelli of East Helena – U.S. Army, Operation Enduring Freedom, Spartan Shield
  • Steven Page of Billings – U.S. Army, 1966-1971
  • Chauncey Parker of Box Elder – U.S. Army, 2001-2022
  • Douglas Howard Parrott of Roundup – U.S. Navy, World War II
  • Donald Pfau of Lewistown – U.S. Army, 1945-1946
  • Edward J. Powers of Butte – U.S. Army, 1969-2008
  • Xavier Reyes of Shelby – U.S. Army, 2004-2005
  • Alexander Roth of Molt – U.S. Marine Corp, 2003-2009
  • Joseph Sanders of Billings – U.S. Navy, 1963-1967
  • Robert Lee Singer of Baker – U.S. Army 1966-1968
  • Kyle Stadel of Columbus – U.S. Army, 2002-2015
  • Michael Stone of Bigfork – U.S. Navy 1972-1977, U.S. Army 1977-2006
  • Stan Swiontek of Miles City – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Paul Edward Thomae of Laurel – U.S. Navy, Vietnam War 
  • Charles Thompson of Dillon – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam War
  • Dallas Warren Thompson of Bozeman – Army National Guard, 1954-1964
  • Richard “Rick” Weldon of Eureka – U.S. Army, 1971-2002
  • Larry Westfall of Townsend – U.S. Army, 1965-2003
  • Christopher Wright of Townsend – U.S. Army, 2010-2017

2021 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation Recipients

  • John A. Alstad of Sunburst – U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War
  • Daniel Clarence Barta of Roundup – U.S. Navy, Vietnam War
  • Darren Bergsing of Livingston – U.S. Air Force, 1990-2010
  • Kenneth Bogner of Miles City – U.S. Marine Corps, 2005-2013
  • Rick Braley of Columbus – U.S. Navy, Vietnam War
  • Lynn M. Clendenen Jr. of Miles City – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Francis Dahl of Billings – U.S. Army, Korean War
  • Matt Egloff of Butte – U.S. Army, 1983-1987
  • Chris Enget of Billings – U.S. Army, 2005-2017
  • Blake Fuhriman of Billings – U.S. Army, 2009-2013
  • David Ardell Gauslow of Laurel – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Edmund Gilbert of Clyde Park – U.S. Army, Vietnam War
  • Roger Hancock of Lolo – U.S. Navy, 1972-1993
  • Anton Johnson of Missoula – U.S. Army, 2001-2009
  • Scot Kerns of Great Falls – U.S. Air Force, 2005-2020
  • Roy Lee Kidder of Kalispell – U.S. Marine Corps, 1954-1960
  • James Long of Butte – U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War
  • Scott Miller of Bridger – U.S. Army, 1989-2018
  • Corry Mordeaux of Huntley – U.S. Army, 1955-1982
  • Timothy C. Peters of Helena – U.S. Air Force, 1981-2001
  • Thomas Price of Eureka – U.S. Navy, World War II
  • Dennis Lee Radish of Eureka – U.S. Navy, Vietnam War
  • David Jon Reisenauer of Butte – U.S. Navy, 1973-1979
  • Sidney B. “Tom” Reynolds, Jr. of Miles City – U.S. Air Force, 1961-1965; U.S. Army, 1965-1993
  • Timothy Richards of Missoula – U.S. Army, 1981-1996
  • Ronald “Rondo” Scharfe of Missoula – U.S. Navy, World War II
  • Cory Sena of Helena – U.S. Army, 1993-2016, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Ruth E. Smith of Missoula – U.S. Army, 1977-1981
  • Mark Dale Teeters of Miles City – U.S. Army, 1995-2009
  • Gary Thompson of Kalispell – U.S. Navy, 1967-1971; Montana National Guard, 1978-1986; U.S. Army, 1986-2002
  • Jay Wood of Deer Lodge – U.S. Coast Guard, 1981-1995; Montana Air National Guard, 2010-2020