Michael Evan Antill (1945-1967)

ANTILL, HULDERSON, ROWENHORST

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/13/2025 at 16:03:12

From Ames Daily Tribune, Ames, Story County, Iowa, January 2, 1968.

Huxley soldier killed

An Army private from Huxley who had been in Vietnam little more that two weeks, Pfc. Macael Evan Antill, 22, was killed Thursday when struck by fragments from an American grenade.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Antill of Huxley. His father operates Haps Auto Supply, 122 Des Moines Ave., Ames.

Mr. and Mrs. Antill were notified of their son's death Saturday, by Army officers. An Army telegram which arrived Sunday said the youth was killed "while on listening post from metal fragments from a friendly rifle grenade."

Pfc. Antill left the United States Dec. 9 and arrived in Vietnam Dec. 12. He was assigned to the Ninth Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division, stationed 42 mile north of Tay Ninh.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Born June 28, 1945, Antill graduated from Ballard Community High School, Huxley in 1963 and worked for his father before entering the Army last spring.

Besides his parents Michael Antill is survived by a brother Boyd and his paternal grandmother Mrs. Julia Antill both of Huxley; his maternal grandmother Mrs. Cora Hulderson, rural Cambridge, and other relatives.

From Ames Tribune, Ames, Story County, Iowa, January 8, 1968.

Rites Tuesday for Pfc. Antill

Funeral services for Pfc. Michael Evan Antill, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Antill, Huxley, will be held at Fjeldberg Lutheran Church, Huxley, at 2 pm. Tuesday. Burial will be in Palestine Cemetery, Huxley.

Antill was killed by metal fragments from a "friendly" rifle grenade on Dec. 28 while on listening post duty in Vietnam near the Cambodian border.

A 1963 graduate of Ballard High School and a senior at Iowa State University, Antill entered the Army June 18, 1967. After basic training at Fort Campbell, Ky., infantry training at Fort Polk, La., and a 30-day leave at home, Antill left the United States Dec 9 and arrived in Vietnam Dec. 12.

Antill's engagement to Cheryl Rowenhorst, Phoenix, Ariz. was announced Nov. 24.

Survivors include his parents and a brother, Boyd, at home; grandparents, Mrs. Julia Antill, Huxley, and Mrs. Cora Hulderson, Cambridge.

The body will lie in state at Riis Funeral Home, Slater, until noon Tuesday.

From Ames Daily Trubune, Ames, Story County, Iowa, January 20, 1968.

Obituary

PFS. MICHAEL E. ANTILL

Pfc. Michael Even Antill, 22, Huxley, the son of Hubert and Carrie Antill, was born June 25, 1945 in Des Moines and lived in Huxley all his life. He was killed Dec. 28, 1967, while on listening post duty in Vietnam.

A 1963 graduate of Ballard Community High School, Michael Antill was in his senior year at Iowa State University when he entered the armed forces.

He received basic training at Fort Campbell, Ky., and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, La. After a 30-day leave at home, he left the United States Dec. 9, 1967 and arrived in Vietnam on Dec. 12. He earned the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, The Purple Heart and other medals.

Michael was a member of Fjeldberg Lutheran Church, Huxley.

Survivors include his parents, a brother Boyd at home, and his grandmothers, Mrs. Julia Antill, Huxley, and Mrs. Cora Hulderson, Cambridge.

Military funeral services were held Jan. 9, 1968 from Fjeldberg Lutheran Church, Huxley with the Rev. Marvin Nygaard officiating. Pallbearers were from Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. Burial was in Palestine Cemetery, Huxley.

From Ames Daily Tribune, Ames, Story County, Iowa, August 19, 1968.

Bronze Star Medal to fallen hero

A posthumous award of the Bronze Star Medal to Army Pfc. Michael E. Antill was made here Sunday.

Accepting the medal were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Antill, Huxley, and his brother, Boyd Antill. Maj. H. J. Moot of Iowa State University's Army ROTC detachment read the citation and presented the medal.

The bronze Star Medal was awarded "for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces," in Vietnam from Dec. 9 to Dec. 28, 1967. Pfc. Antill was killed Dec. 28, 1967, while on listening post duty.

The citation noted he was "...quick to grasp the implications of new problems with which he was faced as a result of the every-changing situations inherent in county-insurgency operations."

The Purple Heart had been awarded to Pfc. Antill last March and he also had been awarded the National Defense and Vietnam service medals.

Born in Des Moines, he had lived in Huxley all his life, and was a member of the Fjeldberg Lutheran Church there. He graduated from Ballard High School in the class of 1963 and was a senior at Iowa State University when he entered the Army.

In addition to his parent and brother, he is survived by his grandmothers, Mrs. Julia Antill of Huxley and Mrs. Cora Hulderson, Cambridge.

Military funeral services and burial were held Jan. 9 at Huxley.