THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Deschenes #2328510
MOS: 0311 Rifleman.

Michael was born in Lewiston but grew up in Auburn. Michael and his best friend Richard F enlisted in the Marines in the Buddy System 26 October 1967 at the Portland Recruiting Office and took their boot camp training at Parris Island.
Michael arrived in Vietnam 29 April 1968 and was assigned to Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. While participating in Operation Lancaster II the company was in the vicinity of LZ Margo in the Cam Lo River Valley, west of Cam Lo when Hotel Company was engaged by NVA hostile forces. Michael died as a result of gunshot and fragmentation wounds to the head and body while engaged in combat against hostile forces.
Michael was single and served his country for 10 months and 24 days and KIA #33,013.
He had been in Vietnam for 4 months and 18 days.
Michael was 20 years,9 months and 11 days old. Richard his best friend survived the war and returned home.
Survived by his parents, Robert P and Florence R Deschenes and a brother of 121 Riverside Drive, Auburn, Maine.

PFC Deschenes was buried 30 September 1968.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us.

Dear Michael I was very sad when I heard of your death in Vietnam. I am very proud of you and I love you and miss you terribly even after all these years. God bless from one of the twins, Jeannette Blanche Grant. I am a Secular Franciscan. May you rest in peace.

I didn't know you, but I was severely wounded at LZ Margo the day you were KIA. It's hard to believe that it was over 51 years ago. Semper Fi

Michael...Honoring you on your birthday...You will never be forgotten...God bless