THE WALL OF FACES

I was suprised when i ran into Michael in early part of 1968 in the A SHAU valley, we embraced like true brothers and briefly escaped the madness of war, we were both from the East New York section of Brooklyn, NY . we both served in same Battlion, he with Recondos. I was a Short Timer and he asked that i stop by and tell his Mom he was ok. Several years later i learned he went back to Nam with the 173 Abn and was KIA. He and others from the block are often in my thoughts.RW
C 2 502 101 ABN DIV Jun 67- Jun 68 4Plt

Michael is buried at Long Island Nat Cem.

Michael is buried at Long Island Nat brCem.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

I was stationed with Michael in Viet Nam, we were in the same recon platoon. Michael and I used to talk when we had the chance and it was always interesting. One night Michael and I were talking and he said 'You know T (my nickname)I really believe that I have attained total peace of mind". we went our seperate ways the next day on our missions, two days later I heard the news about Michael.
Michael was my friend and is dearly missed, but he will always be remembered.

Larry Trevaskis E Co 1/503 173rd ABN BDE 69/70