The end of an era will be observed Friday when the last serving North Dakota Army National Guard pilot to have flown in Vietnam retires.

Col. Gerald Heinle will be honored at 1:30 p.m. at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck, 3406 Airway Ave.

Heinle, of Bismarck, has served more than 35 years in the military after enlisting in 1969.

He served one tour of duty in the Dong Tam region, flying a UG-IC (Charlie) gunship, logging more than 1,000 hours of flight time.

Heinle earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with a "V" for valor during his Vietnam service.

He also served two and a half years in the Army and has served as the state aviation officer since 2001.

- Brian Gehring