THE WALL OF FACES

It's been 26 years today, since I walked up to the PX in Okinawa, Japan while being stationed in the Marines. I remember the day as if it was yesterday. Former Vietnam Vets standing in front of a table full of silver engraved bracelets of military POW/MIA. I stood there picking up one name after another...When I came to yours. It called to me and as I held it in my hand I knew I had to buy. I placed that engraved bracelet on my left wrist...you have only left it just those few times where no jewelry was allowed.

I am truly honored to carry a small part of you with me...to remember your sacrifice & service to our country. It's Marines like you that make me proud of the 14 yrs I was able to serve before becoming a disabled vet due to the Gulf War.

I have always felt that you have watched over me through the years and when my time comes...I hope to see you and give you a hug and to tell you...you were NEVER forgotten!!!

Semper Fi
SSgt. Kellie Glass

Photo courtesy of Sherry Elam

On 11 June 1967, 1LT Curtis Bohlscheid was the pilot of a CH46A helicopter inserting a seven-man Marine Force Recon team into a predesignated area 11.5 nautical miles northwest of Dong Ha, South Vietnam -- right on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). A total of four aircraft were involved in the mission, two CH46's and two UH1E helicopter gunships. Bohlscheid flew the lead aircraft. His crew included MAJ John S. Oldham, LCPL Jose J. Gonzales (crew chief), and PFC Thomas M. Hanratty (crew chief). Members of the 3rd Recon Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division who were being inserted were CPL Jim E. Moshier, LCPL Dennis R. Christie, LCPL John J. Foley III, LCPL Michael W. Havranek, LCPL James W. Kooi, PFC Charles D. Chomel, and PFC James E. Widener. The flight departed Dong Ha at about 11:15 a.m. and proceeded to the insertion location. The gunships made low strafing runs over the landing zone to clear booby traps and to locate any enemy troops in the area. No enemy fire was received and no activity was observed. The lead aircraft then began its approach to the landing zone. At an estimated altitude of 400-600 feet, the helicopter was observed to climb erratically, similar to an aircraft commencing a loop. Machinegun men had been waiting for the opportune time to fire on the aircraft. Portions of the rear blades were seen to separate from the aircraft and a radio transmission was received from the aircraft indicating that it had been hit. The helicopter became inverted and continued out of control until it was seen to crash by a stream in a steep ravine. Subsequent efforts by ground units to reach the crash area failed due to a heavy bunker complex surrounding the site. The ground units inspected the site from within 500 meters through binoculars and observed no survivors. All eleven personnel aboard the helicopter were therefore classified Killed In Action, Body Not Recovered. Other USMC records indicate that the helicopter also burst into flames just prior to impacting the ground. Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 June 1990 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POWMIA families, published sources, interviews. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Michael has a military stone in his honor at St Mary's Cemetery in Missoula, Montana.