Lee Bren Goplin

2021-08-27T14:39:53-05:00
Navy Badge
  • Name: Lee Bren Goplin
  • Location of Birth:
  • Date of Birth: September 24, 1936
  • Date of Death: November 18, 2012 (76 years old)
  • Parents: Sanford Goplin and Harriet (Bren) Goplin
  • High School and Class: 1954 - Warren High School, Warren, Minnesota
  • College: Moorhead State Teacher College (now Minnesota State University-Moorhead)
    1960 - Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education
    1971 - Bemidji States University, Bemidji, Minnesota - Master's Degree
  • Highest Rank: AE 3 (Aviation Electrician's Mate Petty Officer 3rd Class) in the Navy and MAJ (Major) in the Army
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch: United States Army
  • Date Sworn In:
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge:
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    Lee joined the United States Navy in June, 1954 and served in aviation in the North Atlantic, North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Caribbean Sea until 1957.


    He entered the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo, North Dakota.


    Lee enlisted in the Army National Guard. In 1963, he applied for and was accepted as a Cadet in the Minnesota Military earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant in August, 1964.


    In the summer of 1965, Lee attended the ten-week infantry officer's basic course at Fort Benning, Georgia and, upon completion, began teaching in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.


    In 1971, Lee was re-commissioned in the Minnesota Army National Guard. In 1972, he earned his private pilot's license and also attained his instrument and multi-engine ratings. He was also a 1st Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol as the unit's Aerospace Education Officer. In the summers, he taught map reading at Camp Ripley.


    With his promotion to Captain, Lee was given command of Troop A, 1st Squadron of the 194th Calvary in Grand Rapids. He retired from the Minnesota National Guard as a Major in 1990.

  • Wars Involved:
    Korean Conflict

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Lee grew up in Warren, Minnesota.

    Upon discharge from the service, he entered Moorhead State Teachers College (now Minnesota State University-Moorhead) and the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo, North Dakota.

    Lee married Beverly Jean Watson on August 2, 1958.

    In 1960, Lee earned his Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. His first year of teaching was in Park Rapids, Minnesota. From 1961-1965, he taught in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Upon completion of the ten-week infantry officer's basic course at Fort Benning, Georgia, he began teaching in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and transferred to Company A, 2nd Battalion of the 194th Armor Division.

    In 1994, Lee retired from teaching fifth grade at Riverview School in Grand Rapids where he taught for 29 years. His interests included coin collecting, civil war "buff" and he was also a Taphophile (someone who likes to visit cemeteries). He loved the outdoors.

    Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Sanford and Harriet Goplin.

    Lee is survived by his wife, Bev, of 54 years; daughters, Brenda (Bob) Saraceni and Kim Goplin; son, Steven (Molly); five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lana (Alan) Schoenack and June (Stan) Dewerff; two brothers, Russell (Mandy) and Lowell; one brother-in-law, David Watson; and seven nephews.

    Lee died at his home of severe health complications. He is buried in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota. (Sec. 3, Site 207)

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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