Watertown High School Alumni
Watertown, South Dakota (SD)
Recent Members
| Caroline Hagna | 1960 |
| Jackie Walder | 1981 |
| James R Frantz James R Frantz | 1959 |
| Jeri Everett | 1980 |
| John Petrich | 1995 |
| Laura Stemwedel | 1982 |
| Mikel Borkhuis | 1993 |
| Steve Steve Kruse | 1985 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Watertown High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Arrows lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Cleland (Clee) Berg
Class of 1965
Army, 20+ Years
Served 22 years in US Army Air Defense Artillery. Served in USA, Germany and Korea. Had several Air Defense assignments and command tours. Also had assignments in Operations Research / Systems Analysis. Retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. After retirement worked in the U.S. National MIssile Defense Program and in the Dept of Defense Homeland Security Program. Married to Jean Marie (Graves) Berg, class of '65.
Class of 1965
Army, 20+ Years
Served 22 years in US Army Air Defense Artillery. Served in USA, Germany and Korea. Had several Air Defense assignments and command tours. Also had assignments in Operations Research / Systems Analysis. Retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. After retirement worked in the U.S. National MIssile Defense Program and in the Dept of Defense Homeland Security Program. Married to Jean Marie (Graves) Berg, class of '65.
Courtney L. Livingston
Class of 1957
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Served one year in the SD National Guard and then 3 years in the United States Marine Corps, serving at Mojave, CA and Yuma, AZ.
Class of 1957
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Served one year in the SD National Guard and then 3 years in the United States Marine Corps, serving at Mojave, CA and Yuma, AZ.
Daryl Remily
Class of 1966
Navy, 4 Years
Air Traffic Controller in the Navy.
Coast Guard - 4 years flew search and rescue out of San Francisco
Class of 1966
Navy, 4 Years
Air Traffic Controller in the Navy.
Coast Guard - 4 years flew search and rescue out of San Francisco
David W Trandal
Class of 1958
Navy, 20+ Years
Enter US Navy in 1963, served off shore Viet Nam 1965, Served as Dept Head of Guided missle cruiser, Execuvtive Officer, two shore Commands, OIC Navy Element_Entewok Atoll, Chief Staff of Inshore Undersea Warfare and other staff positions during 24 Career.
Class of 1958
Navy, 20+ Years
Enter US Navy in 1963, served off shore Viet Nam 1965, Served as Dept Head of Guided missle cruiser, Execuvtive Officer, two shore Commands, OIC Navy Element_Entewok Atoll, Chief Staff of Inshore Undersea Warfare and other staff positions during 24 Career.
Dennis Gulden
Class of 1985
Army, 12 Years
85-87 Military Police - California
87-91 Military Police - Korea & Massachusetts
96-01 Communications Specialist - Korea & WA
Class of 1985
Army, 12 Years
85-87 Military Police - California
87-91 Military Police - Korea & Massachusetts
96-01 Communications Specialist - Korea & WA
Dennis Gulden
Class of 1985
Army, 17 Years
Military Police
- Sierra Army Depot, Ca
- Cp. Hialeah, Korea
- Ft. Devens, Ma
Signal Corp
- Cp. Red Cloud, Korea
- Cp. Hialeah, Korea
- Ft. Lewis, Wa
Class of 1985
Army, 17 Years
Military Police
- Sierra Army Depot, Ca
- Cp. Hialeah, Korea
- Ft. Devens, Ma
Signal Corp
- Cp. Red Cloud, Korea
- Cp. Hialeah, Korea
- Ft. Lewis, Wa
Dennis Gulden
Class of 1985
Army, 17 Years
Served as a Military Policeman for about 1/2 of my enlistment and as a Communications Specialist for the other 1/2. Was medically retired in 2001 after an injury that occured in Korea in 1999.
Class of 1985
Army, 17 Years
Served as a Military Policeman for about 1/2 of my enlistment and as a Communications Specialist for the other 1/2. Was medically retired in 2001 after an injury that occured in Korea in 1999.
Eric Temple
Class of 1992
Navy, 20+ Years
Eric is now a chief in the US Navy. He has spent several years on multiple air craft carriers. He is currently stationed at NAS Pax River Maryland. His rating is AT in the electronic aircraft division.
Class of 1992
Navy, 20+ Years
Eric is now a chief in the US Navy. He has spent several years on multiple air craft carriers. He is currently stationed at NAS Pax River Maryland. His rating is AT in the electronic aircraft division.
Gary Howey
Class of 1968
Army, 17 Years
Served in the U.S. Army 1968-1971 in Germany and Vietnam. E-5 Tactical Communications. Injured in an attack near An Khe Vietnam in 1971. Enlisted in the Iowa and Nebraska National Guard after serving in the Army Commo Chief E-6, Medically Discharged in 1989.
Class of 1968
Army, 17 Years
Served in the U.S. Army 1968-1971 in Germany and Vietnam. E-5 Tactical Communications. Injured in an attack near An Khe Vietnam in 1971. Enlisted in the Iowa and Nebraska National Guard after serving in the Army Commo Chief E-6, Medically Discharged in 1989.
Gregory Johnson
Class of 1974
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired after 33 Years
Superintendant of the Military Public Health Section for the Nevada Air National Guard.
First Sergeant for the 152nd Medical Squadron 1997-1998. Avionics Navigation Systems repairman, Auto Flight Control systems repairman. United States Army Ground Power Production 1975-1978.
Class of 1974
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired after 33 Years
Superintendant of the Military Public Health Section for the Nevada Air National Guard.
First Sergeant for the 152nd Medical Squadron 1997-1998. Avionics Navigation Systems repairman, Auto Flight Control systems repairman. United States Army Ground Power Production 1975-1978.
James (Jim) Thronson
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Served in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division.
Died in 1985 from the effects of Agent Orange.
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Served in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division.
Died in 1985 from the effects of Agent Orange.
Janet Endres
Class of 1976
National Guard, 6 Years
1984-1990 740th Transportation Company
Milbank, SD Supply Specialist and Arms Specialist
Class of 1976
National Guard, 6 Years
1984-1990 740th Transportation Company
Milbank, SD Supply Specialist and Arms Specialist
Jerome L. Pionk
Class of 1968
Army, 20+ Years
Jerome L. Pionk, Sergeant Major, United States Army, retired from the Army on May 1, 2000 after 30 years active service. He is a native of Watertown, South Dakota.
Sergeant Major Pionk served as the Army’s Retention Policy Proponent, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters Department of the Army from
July 1992 until his retirement. His major assignments prior to his Pentagon position include; Director, Theater Army and Eighth Army Retention, Korea; Chief of Retention Operations, Eighth Army, Korea; Retention Staff Noncommissioned Officer, Enlistment Eligibility Activity, Saint Louis, Mo.; Battalion and Brigade Senior Career Counselor,
1st Signal Brigade, Korea; Recruiting Professional Development NCO, Omaha, Nebraska; Multi-man Recruiting Station Commander, Sioux City, Iowa and Recruiting Station Commander, Worthington, Minnesota.
His military education includes completion of the Command and General Staff College, Sergeant’s Major Academy, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, and the Infantry and Adjutant General Officer’s advanced courses. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies from the University of New York and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Liberty University and a Doctor of Philosophy in human resource management with Northcentral University of Prescott, AZ.
Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Recruiter Ring, Career Counselor Badge, Gold Recruiter Badge with 3 sapphires, the Army Staff Badge, Army Superior Unit Award and various service and campaign medals. Sergeant Major Pionk has also been awarded the Order of Horatio Gates from the Adjutant General’s Association and the Order of Merit from the Association of Military Recruiters and Counselors.
The Army G-1 named him “Career Counselor of the Century†upon his retirement and he was elected to the Military Recruiting and Retention Hall of Fame and the USAREC Career Counselor Hall of Fame. He has been selected for listing in the current edition of “Who’s Who in Americaâ€.
Jerry and his wife Song reside in Lake Ridge, Virginia. They have two grown children, Maj. Jerry Pionk and Angela Pionk Curtis and three grandchildren.
Class of 1968
Army, 20+ Years
Jerome L. Pionk, Sergeant Major, United States Army, retired from the Army on May 1, 2000 after 30 years active service. He is a native of Watertown, South Dakota.
Sergeant Major Pionk served as the Army’s Retention Policy Proponent, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters Department of the Army from
July 1992 until his retirement. His major assignments prior to his Pentagon position include; Director, Theater Army and Eighth Army Retention, Korea; Chief of Retention Operations, Eighth Army, Korea; Retention Staff Noncommissioned Officer, Enlistment Eligibility Activity, Saint Louis, Mo.; Battalion and Brigade Senior Career Counselor,
1st Signal Brigade, Korea; Recruiting Professional Development NCO, Omaha, Nebraska; Multi-man Recruiting Station Commander, Sioux City, Iowa and Recruiting Station Commander, Worthington, Minnesota.
His military education includes completion of the Command and General Staff College, Sergeant’s Major Academy, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, and the Infantry and Adjutant General Officer’s advanced courses. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies from the University of New York and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Liberty University and a Doctor of Philosophy in human resource management with Northcentral University of Prescott, AZ.
Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Recruiter Ring, Career Counselor Badge, Gold Recruiter Badge with 3 sapphires, the Army Staff Badge, Army Superior Unit Award and various service and campaign medals. Sergeant Major Pionk has also been awarded the Order of Horatio Gates from the Adjutant General’s Association and the Order of Merit from the Association of Military Recruiters and Counselors.
The Army G-1 named him “Career Counselor of the Century†upon his retirement and he was elected to the Military Recruiting and Retention Hall of Fame and the USAREC Career Counselor Hall of Fame. He has been selected for listing in the current edition of “Who’s Who in Americaâ€.
Jerry and his wife Song reside in Lake Ridge, Virginia. They have two grown children, Maj. Jerry Pionk and Angela Pionk Curtis and three grandchildren.
JERRY JOHNSON
Class of 1957
Army, 20+ Years
4 yrs U.S.Marine Corp.30 yrs Army(20 yrs DOD)
Class of 1957
Army, 20+ Years
4 yrs U.S.Marine Corp.30 yrs Army(20 yrs DOD)
Joel Felberg
Class of 1997
Army, 12 Years
12 years of service with the US Army. Deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005. Previously stationed at Ft Lewis, WA; Ft Hood, TX; Ft Story, VA; currently a Sergeant First Class serving as Platoon Sergeant at Ft Huachuca, AZ.
Class of 1997
Army, 12 Years
12 years of service with the US Army. Deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005. Previously stationed at Ft Lewis, WA; Ft Hood, TX; Ft Story, VA; currently a Sergeant First Class serving as Platoon Sergeant at Ft Huachuca, AZ.
Kenny Holzemer
Class of 1979
Navy, 20+ Years
Recon Aircrew...Cold War, Korea, Middle East, Afghanistan, South America, Eastern Africa. Etc.
Class of 1979
Navy, 20+ Years
Recon Aircrew...Cold War, Korea, Middle East, Afghanistan, South America, Eastern Africa. Etc.
Mark E. Fox
Class of 2003
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Served last three of six years as a Marine Corps Embassy Guard:
2007 - Beijing, China
2008 - Pretoria, South Africa
2009 - Pristina, Kosovo
Class of 2003
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Served last three of six years as a Marine Corps Embassy Guard:
2007 - Beijing, China
2008 - Pretoria, South Africa
2009 - Pristina, Kosovo
Merl Hackbart
Class of 1959
Army, 2 Years
Commissioned via ROTC (Army Signal Corp) at SDSU and served from 66 to 68 as contracting officer (Captain) at Ft. Gordon, GA and Ft. Monmouth N.J.
Class of 1959
Army, 2 Years
Commissioned via ROTC (Army Signal Corp) at SDSU and served from 66 to 68 as contracting officer (Captain) at Ft. Gordon, GA and Ft. Monmouth N.J.
Merl Hackbart
Class of 1959
Army, 2 Years
I served for two years (1966-68) in the Army as a Signal Corp contracting officer with the rank of Captain. .
Class of 1959
Army, 2 Years
I served for two years (1966-68) in the Army as a Signal Corp contracting officer with the rank of Captain. .
Nicholas Link
Class of 1968
Army, 3 Years
From July, 1968 to July, 1971. Engineer. Vietnam and Virginia.
Class of 1968
Army, 3 Years
From July, 1968 to July, 1971. Engineer. Vietnam and Virginia.
Roberrt Ackerman
Class of 1948
Army, 3 Years
Korean War
Chinese lo-level radio intercept
CIB, Bronze Star
Class of 1948
Army, 3 Years
Korean War
Chinese lo-level radio intercept
CIB, Bronze Star
Robert F. Aarstad
Class of 1964
Navy Reserves, 20+ Years
Stationed at multiple military facilities thruout the world.
Class of 1964
Navy Reserves, 20+ Years
Stationed at multiple military facilities thruout the world.
Sam Simonton
Class of 1981
Army, 20+ Years
5 overseas tours; 2 of which were in Iraq, the invasion and '06-'07.
Retired 1 Jun 2008.
Class of 1981
Army, 20+ Years
5 overseas tours; 2 of which were in Iraq, the invasion and '06-'07.
Retired 1 Jun 2008.
TIM COMES
Class of 1983
Navy, 9 Years
Served VAQ 136, VRC-50, VAQ-134, USS Midway, USS Kitty Hawk
Class of 1983
Navy, 9 Years
Served VAQ 136, VRC-50, VAQ-134, USS Midway, USS Kitty Hawk
Tina Mack
Class of 1989
Marine Corps, 2 Years
I served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I was stationed at Kanoehe Bay, HI.
Class of 1989
Marine Corps, 2 Years
I served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I was stationed at Kanoehe Bay, HI.
vince cordell
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
u.s army heavy equipment engineer, 1965-1968 vietnam 1966-1967
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
u.s army heavy equipment engineer, 1965-1968 vietnam 1966-1967
William P..Brandriet
Class of 1984
Marine Corps, 12 Years
Served in The U.S. Army National Guard for 2 1/2 years in Watertown, S.D. Served In U.S.Army for 2 Years and Served in The United States Marine Corps For 12 1/2 Years. Till Medically Discharged With Disability
Class of 1984
Marine Corps, 12 Years
Served in The U.S. Army National Guard for 2 1/2 years in Watertown, S.D. Served In U.S.Army for 2 Years and Served in The United States Marine Corps For 12 1/2 Years. Till Medically Discharged With Disability
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Watertown High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Arrows.
School News
Dale Phipps
Class of 1964 Has passed away to be with our other dearly Departed class mates onAugust 13,2022
Read More »
Our Watertown High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Watertown High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Watertown are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!