Source: https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/resources/Fallen%20Hero%20Bridge%20Dedications/FHBD%20-%20BUSSE.pdf

On November 26, 2019, South Dakota launched the Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication Program. The program dedicates state bridges to South Dakota heroes who died while in active service, were a prisoner of war or were missing in action. The bridge on HWY 14 near Harrold is dedicated to SGT Daniel Busse of Highmore, who died in hostile gunfire on September 1, 1968, while serving in South Vietnam Quang Ngai (province). Daniel Dean Busse was born in Highmore, South Dakota on September 9, 1946, to Clarence Christopher and Lyla Marie (Jensen) Busse. He had three brothers, Jan, William, and Steven, and one sister, Cheryl. Daniel attended school in Highmore. He was involved with basketball, track, student council, senior class play, science club, and was an honor student in high school. After graduating from Highmore High School in 1964, Daniel took one year of vocational training in Fargo, North Dakota, and then attended Area Vocational Technical School in Willmar, Minnesota, graduating in June of 1967. Busse entered the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on June 22, 1967. He was shipped to Vietnam on November 22, 1967 where he was attached to Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade. On September 1, 1968 Sgt. Busse was team leader for the 1st platoon of C Company, when they came under attack from a large North Vietnamese force. Busse was killed as he was trying to neutralize a second North Vietnamese enemy position that was firing on them. Sgt. Busse was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device posthumously. The award for the Bronze Star states: For heroism in connection with the military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Busse distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 September 1968 while serving as a team leader for the first platoon of Company C, lst Battalion, 6th Infantry. On that date, while the unit was on a combat assault mission they came under a heavy attack from the large North Vietnamese Army force who were entrenched in fortified bunkers. During the initial burst of hostile fire, Specialist Busse’s element sustained many casualties from a hostile machinegun position, while Specialist Busse led his men through the dense, bullet swept terrain, to a position where they could place effective fire on the enemy machinegun position. As they crawled towards their objective, another North Vietnamese soldier fired at them with another automatic weapon. Specialist Busse crawled through the barrage of the enemy fire and silenced the second enemy position. Specialist Four Busse’s valor and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, and the American Division, and the United States Army.

The body of Sgt. Daniel Dean Busse was returned to the United States and buried with military honors in the Highmore cemetery. Sgt. Busse’s name can be seen on Panel 45W, Line 018 on the Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Awards/Ribbons/Medals Busse Received: Bronze Star Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge Marksmanship Badge National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Service Medal Army Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Army Good Conduct Medal.

Busse, Daniel Dean, SGT