Minster honors its sons and daughters who served in the armed forces of the United States across conflicts from the Civil War through Operation Iraqi Freedom, while recalling the sacrifices of several local soldiers. Vernon J. Seger, born to Jerome and Mary Ann Seger, attended Minster High School, took part in track and FFA, served at St. Augustine Catholic Church, graduated in 1967, was drafted into the army on March 6, 1969, trained at Fort Jackson, served with Company A, 12 Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, and was killed on reconnaissance patrol under rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire on October 24, 1969, along with nine other troops from his unit; he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, and Silver Star, among other awards. Anthony L. Knapke, son of Anthony and Anna Knapke, attended Minster Schools, was drafted in October 1944, served in France and Germany during World War II, was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, returned home after an honorable discharge in April 1946, re-enlisted in April 1949, went to Japan, entered the Korean War in June 1950, was taken prisoner on July 16, 1950, forced on the Tiger Death March to North Korea, and was killed by a guard on November 4, 1950; his remains were never recovered, and he was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Prisoner of War Medal, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal, among others. William Thieman, born in Minster on December 5, 1922, to William G. and Edith Schwartz-Thieman, was an honor student, pianist, and band member who graduated in 1939, entered the army on May 1, 1943, and became the only Minster soldier to die of wounds received in action during World War II after being wounded in Germany on December 13, 1944, and dying in Belgium on December 14, 1944; first buried in Belgium, he was later reburied in New Bremen, and the Minster VFW formed in 1946 was named for him. Walter J. Schulte, born to Ben Schulte and his wife, attended Minster schools, worked as an apprentice at the post printing company, enlisted on October 2, 1917, trained at Camp Sherman, served in heavy artillery in France, fought in the Hesse Woods, the River Meuse, and the Argonne Forest, then joined the American Army of Occupation and followed the retreat into Germany, where he died of lobar pneumonia on February 17, 1919, at age 23; he was buried in St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery after funeral rites attended by local clergy and military honors from seventeen soldiers and sailors from Minster.