70 Notable alumni of University of Nebraska at Omaha
Updated: June 13, 2026 EliteDegrees
University of Nebraska at Omaha is ranked #842 in the world and #232 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 70 notable alumni from University of Nebraska at Omaha sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with University of Nebraska at Omaha won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Ryan Walters
1985-. (aged 41)
American football coach
American football player
Ryan Walters is a retired American professional ice hockey forward. He most recently played for the Utah Grizzlies in the ECHL.
2. Russell C. Davis
1938-. (aged 88)
lawyer
military officer
Russell C. Davis is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as commander of the District of Columbia National Guard and Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
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3. James C. Smith
1940-. (aged 86)
lawyer
James Cliffton Smith Jr. was a major general in the United States Army who served as commander of the United States Army Aviation Center and commandant of the Army Aviation School from 1976 to 1978. He previously served as commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division from 1971 to 1973.
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4. Peter G. Burbules
1931-. (aged 95)
military officer
Lieutenant General Peter George Burbules is a retired US Army general who received the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster)and was inducted into the U.S. Army Ordnance Hall of Fame.
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5. James P. Mullins
1928-. (aged 98)
military officer
James P. Mullins is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC) from 1981 to 1984.
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6. Alfred J. Eggers
1922-2006 (aged 84)
engineer
military flight engineer
Alfred J. Eggers, Jr. was NASA's Assistant Administrator for Policy. He devoted efforts to determine the influence of aviation technology in world peace and lectured widely.
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7. Glenn Cunningham
1912-2003 (aged 91)
politician
Glenn Clarence Cunningham was an American Republican politician.
8. Bryce Poe II
1924-2000 (aged 76)
military officer
Bryce Poe II was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC) from 1978 to 1981.
9. Mark Elworth Jr
1976-. (aged 50)
Mark Gerald Elworth Jr. is an American freelance musician, businessman, cannabis rights activist, perennial candidate for public office, and rockhound. Elworth was the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 2014 and was the Legal Marijuana Now candidate for Vice President of the United States in 2016.
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10. Bryce Lampman
1982-. (aged 44)
ice hockey player
Bryce James Lampman is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers.
11. Terry Broadhurst
1988-. (aged 38)
ice hockey player
Terry Broadhurst is an American professional ice hockey forward. He is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played with HK Poprad in the Slovak Extraliga.
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12. Thomas M. Ryan Jr
1928-2024 (aged 96)
military officer
Thomas Martin Ryan Jr. was a United States Air Force general who served as the commander of Air Training Command (COMATC) from 1981 to 1983 and as Commander in Chief of the Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC) from 1983 to 1985.
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13. Dan Hacker
1982-. (aged 44)
ice hockey player
Daniel Hacker is an American former professional ice hockey center who last played for the Schwenninger Wild Wings in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He previously played in the ECHL for the Idaho Steelheads, in the American Hockey League for the Iowa Stars, and in the Finnish SM-liiga for SaiPa, Ilves and HIFK. He initially joined the Schwenninger Wild Wings when...
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14. Joey Martin
1988-. (aged 38)
ice hockey player
Joey Martin is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for UK Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) side Cardiff Devils. He has previously played for IceHL side Graz 99ers and the Stavanger Oilers in Norway's GET-ligaen.
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15. Jim Nash
1967-. (aged 59)
politician
James A. Nash is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Nash represents District 48A in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Waconia, Victoria, and Chaska, and parts of Carver County.
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16. John L. Piotrowski
1934-. (aged 92)
military officer
General John Louis Piotrowski is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), from 1985 to 1987; and Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE), from 1987 to 1990.
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17. Jack N. Merritt
1930-2018 (aged 88)
Jack Neil Merritt was a United States Army four-star general who served as U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP) from 1985 to 1987.
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18. Merv Riepe
1942-. (aged 84)
politician
Mervin Merle Riepe is an American politician from the state of Nebraska. In 2014, he was elected to the Nebraska Legislature, representing a district in the Omaha metropolitan area. In 2018, he lost re-election to Democrat Steve Lathrop, but in 2022 after Lathrop decided not to seek re-election, Riepe was again elected to the Nebraska Legislature.
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19. Tre'Shawn Thurman
1995-. (aged 31)
basketball player
Tre'Shawn Thurman is an American professional basketball player for Esenler Erokspor of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He played college basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Omaha Mavericks.
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20. Jeff Koterba
1961-. (aged 65)
cartoonist
Jeffrey Koterba is an American editorial cartoonist based in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the editorial cartoonist for the Omaha World-Herald from 1989 until September 2020 and his work is syndicated nationwide to over 850 newspapers by Cagle Cartoons.
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21. Matt White
1989-. (aged 37)
ice hockey player
Matt White is an American professional ice hockey player. He is currently playing under contract with Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
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22. Bill Thomas
1941-. (aged 85)
academic
politician
William Thomas is an American professional ice hockey player. He currently plays right wing for Anyang Halla, member of the Asia League Ice Hockey (AL).
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23. Joe Arenas
1925-2020 (aged 95)
American football player
Guadalupe Joseph Arenas, also known as "Lupe Joe" Arenas and "Little Joe" Arenas, was an American professional football player. He was a halfback and defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers from 1951 to 1957. He was best known as a kickoff and punt returner. His 4,572 career kick and punt return yards was the best in NFL history at...
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24. Abdul Salam Azimi
1936-2026 (aged 90)
judge
politician
Abdul Salam Azimi was an Afghan judge who was the Chief Justice of Afghanistan and, as such, the head of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan from August 2006 to October 2014, when he resigned his position.
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25. Theresa Thibodeau
1975-. (aged 51)
politician
Theresa Thibodeau is an American politician who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from 2017 to 2019. In November 2021, Thibodeau entered the Republican primary for Governor of Nebraska.
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26. Jack L. Treadwell
1919-1977 (aged 58)
military personnel
Jack LeMaster Treadwell was a United States Army colonel and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration for valor—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. At the time of his retirement, Treadwell was believed to be the most decorated man in the United States Armed Forces.
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27. Dan Ellis
1980-. (aged 46)
ice hockey player
Daniel Ellis is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who currently works as a goaltending scout for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
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28. Jeff Hoggan
1978-. (aged 48)
ice hockey player
Jeffrey Allan Hoggan is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).
29. Tyler Cloyd
1987-. (aged 39)
baseball player
Tyler James Cloyd is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and Miami Marlins, and in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions.
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30. Greg Zanon
1980-. (aged 46)
ice hockey player
Gregory M. Zanon is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played almost 500 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). Current head coach of the Stillwater Boys Varsity Hockey team in Minnesota.
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31. Chris Holt
1985-. (aged 41)
ice hockey player
Christopher Holt is a Canadian-born American former professional hockey goaltender who last played with the Braehead Clan of the Elite Ice Hockey League. He also played for the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, Dinamo Riga, HC Donbass of the Kontinental Hockey League and Orli Znojmo of the Austrian Hockey League.
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32. Johnnie E. Wilson
1944-. (aged 82)
military officer
General Johnnie Edward Wilson is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command from 1996 to 1999. He also served as the 25th Chief of Ordnance for the United States Army Ordnance Corps.
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33. Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen
1934-1987 (aged 53)
military officer
Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen was a United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
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34. Mike Rostampour
1991-. (aged 35)
basketball player
Mike Rostampour is an Iranian-American professional basketball player for the Iranian national team.
35. Vicki Trickett
1938-2021 (aged 83)
actor
Vicki Trickett was an American actress best known for several film roles in the early 1960s. She is probably best known for her role as Diane Quigley in the film The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962).
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36. Laurie S. Fulton
1949-. (aged 77)
diplomat
lawyer
Laurie Susan Fulton is an American attorney, diplomat and the former United States Ambassador to Denmark. She was sworn in on July 15, 2009, and presented her credentials to the Queen of Denmark on August 3, 2009. She resigned effective February 15, 2013. In March 2013, she returned to Williams & Connolly LLP until July 2014.
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37. Jaycob Megna
1992-. (aged 34)
ice hockey player
Jaycob Dalton Megna is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman and captain for the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the seventh round, 210th overall, of the 2012 NHL entry draft....
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38. James H. Kasler
1926-2014 (aged 88)
military officer
Colonel James Helms Kasler was a senior officer in the United States Air Force and the only person to be awarded the Air Force Cross three times. The Air Force Cross ranks just below the Medal of Honor as an award for extraordinary heroism in combat.
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39. David E. Grange, Jr
1925-2022 (aged 97)
military personnel
David Ellsworth Grange Jr. was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.
40. Nick Seeler
1993-. (aged 33)
ice hockey player
Nick Seeler is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round, 131st overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, Seeler played for the University of Nebraska Omaha and University of Minnesota.
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41. James J. Lindsay
1932-2023 (aged 91)
military personnel
James Joseph Lindsay was a United States Army four-star general, and served as the first commander of the United States Special Operations Command.
42. Joshua Becker
1974-. (aged 52)
blogger
writer
Joshua Becker is an American author, writer, and philanthropist.
43. William Henry Harrison III
1896-1990 (aged 94)
lawyer
politician
William Henry Harrison III was an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives and in the state legislatures of Indiana and Wyoming.
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44. Josh Archibald
1992-. (aged 34)
ice hockey player
Joshua Archibald is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey right winger. Archibald was selected by the Penguins in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
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45. Roman Hruska
1904-1999 (aged 95)
lawyer
politician
Roman Lee Hruska was an American attorney and politician who served as a Republican U.S. senator from the state of Nebraska. Hruska was known as one of the most vocal conservatives in the Senate during the 1960s and 1970s.
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46. J. James Exon
1921-2005 (aged 84)
chief executive officer
branch manager
politician
John James Exon was an American businessman and politician who served as the 33rd Governor of Nebraska from 1971 to 1979, and as a United States Senator from Nebraska from 1979 to 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Exon never lost an election, and was the only Democrat ever to hold Nebraska's Class 2 U.S. Senate seat. He was...
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47. Karrin Allyson
1963-. (aged 63)
songwriter
pianist
jazz musician
singer
Karrin Allyson is an American jazz vocalist. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and has received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including the New York Times, which has called her a "singer with a feline touch and impeccable intonation."
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48. Jayson Megna
1990-. (aged 36)
ice hockey player
Jayson Megna is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently the captain of the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL). Megna was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but grew up in Northbrook, Illinois where he started to play hockey at the age of 7.
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49. Andrej Šustr
1990-. (aged 36)
ice hockey player
athlete
Andrej Šustr is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL). Previously he played in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Anaheim Ducks. An undrafted player, Šustr made his NHL debut with the Lightning in 2013 after playing three seasons of...
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50. Greg Zuerlein
1988-. (aged 38)
ice dancer
figure skating coach
Gregory Zuerlein ZUR-lyne; is an American professional football placekicker. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played college football for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks and Missouri Western Griffons. He previously played for the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.
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51. David L. Sokol
1946-. (aged 80)
businessperson
David L. Sokol is an American business executive. He is a Chairman of Teton Capital LLC, headquartered in Wilson, Wyoming. He served as chairman, president, and CEO of NetJets, as well as a chairman of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, of which Berkshire Hathaway holds a 100% and 89.8% stake respectively.
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52. Jake Ellenberger
1985-. (aged 41)
mixed martial arts fighter
military personnel
Jake Ellenberger is an American retired mixed martial artist and former United States Marine who was known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor from 2005–2018, Ellenberger has also formerly competed for the Quad Cities Silverbacks of the IFL, Bodog Fight, and King of the Cage.
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53. Jake Guentzel
1994-. (aged 32)
ice hockey player
Jake Allen Guentzel is an American professional ice hockey player who is a left winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 77th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2013 NHL entry draft, and won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2017. Guentzel has also previously played...
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54. Zach Miller
1984-. (aged 42)
American football player
Zachary Scott Miller is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a quarterback and tight end for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks.
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55. Anthony Stolarz
1994-. (aged 32)
ice hockey player
Anthony Stolarz is an American professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed Stolie, Stolarz previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers. He won the Stanley Cup in 2024 with the Panthers.
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56. Shaquil Barrett
1992-. (aged 34)
American football player
Shaquil Akeem Barrett is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks before transferring to the Colorado State Rams. Barrett was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL draft. After five seasons with the Broncos, including winning Super Bowl 50, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
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57. Chuck Hagel
1946-. (aged 80)
talk show host
news presenter
business executive
military personnel
politician
Charles Timothy Hagel is an American politician and Army veteran who served as the 24th United States secretary of defense from 2013 to 2015 in the administration of Barack Obama. He previously served as chairman of the president's Intelligence Advisory Board from 2009 to 2013 and as a United States senator representing Nebraska from 1997 to 2009.
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58. Peter Fonda
1940-2019 (aged 79)
actor
screenwriter
film actor
film producer
film director
Peter Henry Fonda was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. He was twice an Academy Award nominee, both for acting and screenwriting, and a two-time Golden Globe Award winner for his acting. He was a member of the Fonda acting family, as the son of actor Henry Fonda, the brother of actress and activist Jane Fonda, and the father...
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59. Destiny
1988-. (aged 38)
television producer
YouTuber
Kick streamer
professional gamer
Steven Kenneth Bonnell II, known online as Destiny, is an American live streamer and political commentator. He was among the first people to stream video games online full-time. Since 2016, he has streamed political debates with other online personalities, in which he advocates for liberal and social democratic policies.
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60. Conor Oberst
1980-. (aged 46)
guitarist
musician
singer-songwriter
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, the Faint (previously named Norman Bailer), Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Monsters of Folk, and Better Oblivion Community Center. Oberst was named the Best Songwriter of 2008 by Rolling...
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61. Darrell Mudra
1929-2022 (aged 93)
American football coach
American football player
Darrell E. Mudra Sr., nicknamed "Dr. Victory", was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Adams State College (1959–1962), North Dakota State University (1963–1965), the University of Arizona (1967–1968), Western Illinois University (1969–1973), Florida State University (1974–1975), Eastern Illinois University (1978–1982), and the University of Northern Iowa (1983–1987), compiling a career college football record of...
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62. Sunita Jain
1940-2017 (aged 77)
children's writer
poet
writer
Sunita Jain was an Indian scholar, novelist, short-story writer and poet of English and Hindi literature. She was a former professor and the Head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. She published over 80 books, in English and Hindi, besides translating many Jain writings and some Hindi literature into English. She...
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63. Roger Donlon
1934-2024 (aged 90)
military personnel
Roger Hugh Charles Donlon was a United States Army officer. He was the first person to receive the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, as well as the first member of the United States Army Special Forces to be so honored.
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64. David C. Jones
1921-2013 (aged 92)
military officer
David Charles Jones was a United States Air Force general and the ninth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity, Jones served as the highest-ranking uniformed officer of the United States Armed Forces. He previously served as the ninth Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and fifteenth commander of the United States Air Forces...
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65. Melvin O. McLaughlin
1876-1928 (aged 52)
politician
Melvin Orlando McLaughlin was an American Republican Party politician.
66. Vincent Falter
1932-. (aged 94)
military officer
Vincent Eugene Falter is a retired major general in the United States Army. He served as Commanding General of the United States Army Military Personnel Center. He enlisted in the Army in May 1953 and was commissioned in May 1954 after graduating from Field Artillery Officer Candidate School. He later completed a B.Ed. degree in military science at the University...
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67. Leo K. Thorsness
1932-2017 (aged 85)
politician
military officer
Leo Keith Thorsness was a colonel in the United States Air Force who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal for an air engagement on April 19, 1967. He was shot down two weeks later and spent almost six years in captivity in North Vietnam as a prisoner of war....
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68. Joseph Berg Esenwein
1867-1946 (aged 79)
lecturer
writer
journalist
Joseph Berg Esenwein was an American editor, lecturer and writer. He was noted for contributions to the Library of the World's Best Literature.
69. Mohammad Asef Rahimi
1959-. (aged 67)
civil servant
Mohammad Asif Rahimi is an Afghan politician serving as ambassador to the Netherlands. He was previously the governor of Herat Province and Minister of Agriculture. An ethnic Tajik, he was raised in Kabul, and obtained a bachelor's degree from Kabul University in 1981 before completing post-graduate studies in Management of Development Programs in 1989 at Omaha University in Nebraska, United...
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70. Mike Hill
1958-. (aged 68)
politician
Michael Robert Hill is a former British Labour Party politician who served as Member of Parliament for Hartlepool from 2017 until his resignation in 2021.
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