MADISON – Madison resident Edward Lee Durst entered the U.S. Army United States In May 1967. 

Durst is a native of Summerset, Pa. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and then Durst transferred to Fort Sam Houston in Texas for medic training.

Following his training as a medic, Durst deployed to Vang Tai, Vietnam for duty at the 36th EVAC Hospital. After seven months, he was deployed to Da Nang for an additional seven months in tour of duty.

Durst’s next assignment was the 91st EVAC Hospital in Da Nang. He was released from active duty in December 1968 with the rank of Specialist 4 (E-4).

In 1977, Durst joined the Ohio National Guard as part of Headquarters Troop 107 Armed Cavalry. However, he had developed health issues related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam and was released from the Ohio National Guard in 1978.

After leaving military service, Durst started to work as a dealer for Standard Oil Company in Cleveland, Ohio. He worked at this job for 23 years. He continued working for various organizations in Ohio for several years, including the Whitt Guard Security Company in Lorain, Ohio. 

After retirement, Ed and his wife Kathy moved to Madison to live nearby their family. 

Both Ed and Kathy truly enjoy living in Madison. Ed is a member of American Legion Post 229 in Madison. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Post 26 in Huntsville.