THE WALL OF FACES

I remember the vibrant, intelligent, and dedicated Mike who wanted to serve his tour in Vietnam, marry, and get involved in the Florida political scene. He was NMCB-128's smiling face and good medicine for his men and the Wardroom. Mike and 1st Class Pettty Office Paul Hallman were a great loss to the Battalion. Both respected as professionals. I often think of Mike who had a promising life ahead, and Paul who was to retire after the deployment. I don't understand why they were taken before they were ready to go. They and their families are in my prayers. Fair winds & following seas Shipmates.

I went through Navy CECOS (Civil Engineer Corps Officer School) at Port Hueneme, California, with Mike in November and December, 1966. Our class had just graduated as fresh-caught Ensigns from Navy OCS at Newport, Rhode Island, that October. Mike was the first guy I'd ever met who read the New York Times every day. He was bright - - one of the brightest in our class - - and he was a lot of fun, the kind of guy we all expected to have a very successful life. I was stationed at Cherry Point Marine Air Station in North Carolina when I heard of Mikes' death. My thought at the time was, and still is, something John F. Kennedy once asked, "Why are the best taken first?"