Matt Flueger

From Farmboy to Soldier

My dad, John Charles Flueger, was born in the summer of 1950 and grew up listening to stories of World War 2. Several of his uncles had served, one having made the ultimate sacrifice. Raised on a farm in Hay Creek near Red Wing and facing limited horizons, he wanted to see the world. After a night of drinking with friends shortly after graduating high school he made a pact with one of them - tomorrow we join.

The next day dad showed up and volunteered to serve in the war that so many people his age were protesting. He wanted to see the world and he also believed in helping the farmers and people of a little known country in southeast asia. He ended up using his experience as a farmer with heavy machinery to become a combat engineer.

He served proudly 1970-71 with the 299th Combat Engineers, Company C. They were part of the 18th Engineer brigade. He was assigned to LZ North English near Bong Son where his unit was attached to the 173rd Airborne, a heavy fighting unit. He earned the Purple Heart amongst other commendations.

His experiences in Vietnam forever shaped his character. He did not speak of his experiences as I grew up. It was a part of his life that he was fiercely proud of but knew that very few people could relate to.

Occasionally I would witness him speak to people that had also served and saw a light in his eyes that I never otherwise saw.

As an adult I started to research my great grandfather's service in World War 1. This gave me an opening to start a conversation with my dad that had previously been too awkward. He does not brag or talk cavalierly about his experiences but they are part of what shaped him into the man that later became a great father and provider.

Like his bumper sticker says - No Hero, Just Did What Had To Be Done.