North Dakota adjutant general’s statement on death of a Guard Soldier

Courtesy Photo | This is a photo of North Dakota National Guard Soldier Spc. Charles “Charlie” Tweten. (Courtesy photo)  

BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

06.30.2015

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. — Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, made the following statement on the death of a North Dakota National Guard Soldier, Spc. Charles “Charlie” Tweten.

“Our entire North Dakota National Guard family is mourning the loss of one of our family members,” said Sprynczynatyk. “We will always remember Charlie’s commitment to his fellow Soldiers and our organization as well as his service to our state and nation. On behalf of all of the Soldiers and Airmen of the North Dakota National Guard, we offer our condolences and sincere sympathy to his family and friends during this tragic time.”

A native of Grafton, North Dakota, Spc. Tweten, 22, passed away June 27 in his hometown. A member of the North Dakota Army National Guard, Tweten enlisted in October 2010 and served with the Grand Forks, North Dakota-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. In May 2013, he mobilized with his unit to Washington, D.C. on a year-long mission protecting the airspace around the National Capital Region.

Tweten’s military awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserved Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device and the North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on July 1 at 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. The North Dakota National Guard will render military funeral honors.
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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 4,200 Soldiers and nearly 2,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, nearly 45 North Dakota Guardsmen are mobilized for overseas and domestic service. With a total force of about 4,400 Guardsmen, the North Dakota National Guard remains ready for stateside response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.

• Date Taken: 06.30.2015
• Date Posted: 06.30.2015 22:17
• Story ID: 168726
• Location: BISMARCK, ND, US