U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam combat, honored by Gage County

BEATRICE – A Gage County Purple Heart winner whose Vietnam War experience included nighttime combat, was honored Wednesday by the Gage County Board in an ongoing veterans recognition program.

Sherman Skala enlisted and became a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned seven awards for his wartime service, including the Purple Heart.
Skala was sent to Vietnam in August of 1968, part of an Alpha squad platoon in the First Marine Division.

"Our main duties included going out on patrols...the majority of them were at night. After two or three weeks there, I was handed the radio and told I was going to be the radio man for the squad. The only training I had on the radio was how to turn it off and on, and how to change the frequency. Every time before we went out on patrol, we had radio check. The radio they gave me would transmit, but would not receive. So, I was always told to go back to Charlie squad and get their radio."

That could be dangerous, since Skala’s squad was always at the front of the battle. In October of 1968, Skala was wounded and airlifted to a Naval Hospital in Japan. He later was sent to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina…and honorably discharged from active duty in 1970.

Gage County Board Chairman Erich Tiemann said Skala continues to serve his community, today. "Thank you for your service and we appreciate your continued work in our community. We're proud to have you."

Skala was presented a certificate and gifts before county supervisors, Wednesday. He is on a local honor guard, active with the VFW and American Legion, and supports veterans in the community.