THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Kevin replaced me when I was transferred to forward platoon at 3rd Brigade,1st Div in 1966. He was later killed on Nui BaDin Mountain.
May he Rest In Peace.

For years I left remembrances to Kevin on the Vietnam Wall web page.
Below is one of my notes:

My outfit was the 121st Signal Batt. As the junior officer in the battalion I had been waiting for my first command. Some of the officers who had come over earlier were getting ready to rotate and the unit was starting to build up more junior officers of which Michael was one. I only got to meet Michael for a short time as he had just reported to our base camp outside Bien Hoa. I was scheduled to fly on the chinook that was delivering supplies and fuel to the relay site on Nui Ba Din. My Captain, (Cole) asked me to stay behind, as the flight was full, so he could give Michael an overview of one of our remote sites. It was only a hour or so later I learned the chopper had gone down and Michael was lost. Captain Cole had been only slightly injured and I recall one or both pilots were killed. We held a 21 gun salute for Michael. He was the first member of the 121st Battalion to die as I recall. I wonder to this day why him and not me? I had married just weeks before leaving on a ship with the 1st Infantry Division. I have taken my wife and children to visit the Wall and find his name. I live because of a simple decision, that to this day, I cannot understand how I could have changed the outcome. May God hold Michael tightly in his arms and give him the joy he so much missed on this earth.
Jul 12, 2009

June 6, a day to reflect. 75 years ago today is a day that won’t be forgotten. But, I just discovered this site and read the details as to how Kevin lost his short life and I haven’t forgotten. I was at Ft Gordon with Kevin for 3 months learning all about the Signal Corps and the real Army life as an young officer. I don’t believe that we lost another officer from our class in Vietnam Nam, other than Kevin. I remember Kevin as a special guy that was so friendly and energetic from the get-go and realized that two “left handed” fellows had to do things differently on the rifle range and other new learning events. Those special relaxing times at the Dot-Dash club playing a silly beer drinking game with Kevin, Paul Calabria, Manglesforf (sp), Paul Clifford and the others. Kevin, we all gave some, but you gave it all. Mike

In the nearly 55 years since your death, I've never forgotten the friendship we had in college/Alfred University. Your wit, sense of humor and vitality I will never forget!. I placed flags on Veterans graves today and on one I wrote your name, rank and year of death. God Bless you and all your Brothers in Uniform. Michael Germain