THE WALL OF FACES

Still have my Pow/MIA bracelet. I was only 7 years old in 3/17/68. I wore it for a long time, never took it off, even when I bathed. Later when I was was married I had a son, on 3/17. I thought you of Steven Armistead. Rest In Peace

Captain Steven Ray Armitstead, Served with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533 ( VMA-533 [AW] ), Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Steven Ray Armitstead

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant

CITATION:

SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Steven Ray Armitstead, United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of Marine All Weather Attach Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (VMA(AW)-533) in Southeast Asia.

When I was a child I reached into a basket of POW bracelets and pulled one out at random during at an event in Charleston, WV. For some reason that one meant something special to me, immediately. I think it chose me. I asked my late mother to donate the money so I could have it. I didn’t even read its engraving until we returned home to St. Albans. It bore his name, and from that moment it was carved on my heart. From that moment on, I wore it every day for from childhood nto early adolescence. Then, I was crushed to realize I’d lost it during my move to college. Only now have I summoned the courage to learn of his fate, sacrifice and certain unimaginable suffering: as President Lincoln said, “that for which they gave their last full measure of devotion...” My big brother, if I may call him so, was one of such men. Thankfully some kind person must have found it and placed it for him on The Wall. He was my constant friend; almost a part of my body. He became my kind and protective companion, the big brother I never had and inspiration to fight all the battles I have faced. I loved him, still do and always shall. I send my deepest and most sincere condolences to his family and friends. My heart is full. He is my hero.

I was in flight training with Steve and stationed with VMFA 323 at Chu Lai. I remember that March nite out in front of our hooches talking to Steve and another guy getting ready to go on a mission. I heard they crashed, MIA 73-75 I was MIA coordinator for MCAS El Toro, but never met his wife although I did meet other MIA wives. RIP