THE WALL OF FACES

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Dear Sp4 James Michael, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. I researched you on the 54th anniversary of the start of your tour. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another autumn. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Sp/4 Michael, thank you. I was intrigued when I saw your photo. I grew up & live 53 miles from Newman Illinois. I too had been a Sp/4 in the Army. ( peacetime only )I too have the last name of Michael. There are similarities here, but unlike you I gave only time. You gave all for the country and your brothers around you. May you rest eternally where war does not exist. You certainly deserve it.

On May 17, 1967, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, was participating in a Battalion-sized search and destroy mission conducted in the area southeast of FSB Fang in Binh Duong Province, RVN. Movement through the heavily jungled area was made in M113 armored personnel carriers (APC’s). Second Platoon, B/2/22, was directed to move to the junction of Highway TL-13 and Route 244 to recon a path through the jungle for Battalion to follow for their movement the next day. Progress was slow through the dense foliage until they found a small trail that ran north to the junction. When they reached the junction, the Platoon Leader directed the lead squad to move through the intersection. As the lead M113 entered the junction, it hit an anti-tank mine, killing the driver and two other troops. Four others were wounded. The Platoon Leader, in the second APC, moved up behind the burning track and dismounted his troops. This M113 was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), setting it on fire, killing three more men. The troops in the third and fourth M113’s dismounted and began laying down a base of fire. The third M113 moved up, firing its .50-caliber machine gun, and was hit by two RPG’s; however, it did not catch fire. The fourth M113 remained in place, firing its guns to the northwest and northeast. The initial burst of enemy fire had lasted less than a minute, yet they were able to destroy two M113s, damage another, kill seven U.S. troops, and wound eleven. The lost Americans included SP4 Larry A. Crisci, SP4 Robert M. DeDominic, SP4 Lynn C. Hayes, SP4 James R. Michael, PFC Jasper N. Newberry Jr., SP4 Andrew J. Short III, and PFC Roger D. Thompson. B Company moved with all its troops mounted to assist 2nd Platoon. After arriving and securing the area, the wounded were taken to the Battalion laager position for medivac. Only one of the damaged M113s could be repaired and it was towed to the laager position. Later that night, it was discovered that the remains of one of the men killed was left behind. B Company went back to the area in the morning and retrieved the remains, waited for a medivac, then linked up with the Battalion as it headed west to FSB Fang. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by E.Q. “Skip” Fahel (September 2019)]

Dear SP4 James Richard Michael, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter