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The only things <em>Dan Neuburger</em> loved more than West Point were his wife Susan, his family, and his baby girl Danielle Lee whom he never did see. He griped as did everyone during those four years, but to those who knew him closely Dan’s four years were just the prologue to what would have been a long and great military career.</p>
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He came to the Plain of West Point from the Plains of Kansas determined to overcome whatever obstacles Plebe Year presented. He found an outlet for his zeal and enthusiasm in the gymnasium where he spent a good portion of his time. If given the opportunity, Dan would have lived in the gym. It was here that he could let loose his desire to excel with his fierce sense of competition. For Dan there was no such thing as a game. Every sport he ever played was played to win. This strong desire to win was one of the things we admired most about him.</p>
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Run-ins with First Captains and haircuts with electric shavers were a thing of the past as Yearling year began. When he wasn't in the gym or class, he would be reading. Dan kept a good number of the New York book stores in business, and there was a good chance that if you needed a book, he had it in his library. He could voice convictions now a little more frequently than in his first year although Dan never really let the status of a Plebe restrain his opinions. Dan always said what he felt. There was no guesswork about it, and you always knew where you stood with him. Everyone respected him for being a man of his word and convictions. It was during “Cow year" that he was to meet Sue, and it wasn't hard to tell to whom all his attention would be directed for the rest of his life.</p>
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Dan was as anxious for “Firstie year” as all of us. He would finally be able to direct all his harnessed enthusiasm for his country. Artillery was the branch he chose, and Vietnam the place. The time after graduation went all too quickly for him—leave, Basic School at Fort Sill, Ranger School at Fort Benning, marriage to Sue in Chicago 16 December 1967. Dan was assigned to the 6/20 Artillery at Fort Carson as an Executive Officer. July found him in Vietnam where he was last to exercise his enthusiasm and zeal. He served with the 6/29 Artillery, 4th Infantry Division at Dak To and the impression this soldier made in his brief tour is best described in his citation for the Bronze Star Medal. “Whether serving as a forward observer or marking targets, Lieutenant Neuburger maintained his personal standards and contributed significantly to his company’s mission. His cheerful attitude coupled with his concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers, earned him the respect and admiration of the entire battery and attached company. On 14 August 1968, Lieutenant Neuburger was mortally wounded during a mortar attack, while organizing defensive fire around the infantry company perimeter near Kontum City. First Lieutenant Neuburger’s exceptional courage, outstanding performance, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”</p>
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Besides his widow and daughter, Dan is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Edward Neuburger, and eight younger brothers and sisters: Glen, Tom, Mark, Dean, Kathleen, Donetta, Mrs. Kenneth Waldschmidt, and Mrs. Emmett Fuller. Those who knew him and loved him seek solace in the fact that Dan died doing what he wanted most. We could feel the desire at school, and no human was going to deny him the opportunity of fighting for his country as soon as he could.</p>
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Kansas was his birthplace, and Kansas is his resting place...the little town of Ellis, the town that watched him grow from a boy, a son, a big brother, a cadet at St. Joseph's Military Academy, to a cadet at West Point, an officer, a husband, and a father. The golden Kansas wheat, silhouetted against the crimson sun, stood a little prouder 14 August 1968 knowing that one of its sons had died in the service of his country. The memory of Dan Neuburger and everything he stood for will linger with those of us who knew him until the black dirt of Kansas ceases to yield men of conviction and valor...never.</p>
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<em>—Kenneth J. Leonardi, Classmate</em></p>