THE WALL OF FACES

SGT David George Michel is buried in the Saint Matthews Cemetery in Granger, MN.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear Sgt David Michel, Thank you for your service as a Cannon Crewmember. 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.

Landing Zone East was established in 1967 by the 196th Infantry Brigade and was located approximately ten miles west of Tam Ky in Quang Tin Province, RVN. The base was occupied by elements of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 82nd Artillery when it was attacked by the North Vietnamese Army’s 35th Sapper Battalion on the morning of June 11, 1969. At about 2:30 AM, the NVA first hit a bunker at the very outer edge of the perimeter of the landing zone, destroying it with a rocket-propelled grenade. The sappers then began to run up the hill throwing grenades and firing AK-47’s. They struck with an overwhelming force, marching their mortar rounds systematically up the hill, striking bunkers and lighting up the sky. The Americans at East fought back with unit weapons, but the base was overrun. When dawn arrived, the Americans counterattacked and drove the NVA from the destroyed base. Sixteen U.S. troopers lost their lives and thirty-four were wounded. The lost personnel included PFC Ronald G. Crowe, SP4 Frank F. De Maria Jr., PFC Charles D. Green, CPL Freddy L. Holloway, SP4 Edward Johnson, SP4 Jack C. Lee, SGT David G. Michel, CPT Karl W. Mills, CPL Edward V. Palmenta, SFC Floyd L. Pitre, SFC Daniel G. Reid, SP4 Douglas L. Strickland, CPL James C. Strube, PFC Terry L. Thornton, PFC Bruce H. Tibbetts, and CPL Clark L. Williams. Enemy losses were estimated at sixty-nine killed. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, wikipedia.org, and missionvietnam.org]

The following is from the 1996 book THE FACES BEHIND THE NAMES by Don Ward. The book encompasses the stories and photos of hundreds of Minnesota soldiers killed in action in Vietnam. The stories are mostly told by family members. The senior class picture of David is from his 1965 senior class at Harmony High School. In the words of David Michel's family:
David George Michel
Army Sergeant
Born: April 29, 1947
Died: June 11, 1969

David George Michel was the oldest of seven children. David grew up in a Christian home and believed in helping others in need. We believed that Vietnam needed help. Dave's early years were spent on a farm near Harmony, Minnesota. He went to a country school, then on to Harmony High School. Dave was on the wrestling team and also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He worked at Niagara Cave, and spent many hours exploring Minnesota and Iowa caves. After graduating from high school, David attended Bailey's Technical School in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating in 1966 as a diesel and auto mechanic. He worked in St. Charles, Minnesota, and then at Rochester Truck service until he was drafted.
David trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was assigned to B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 62nd Artillery, 196th Light Infantry Brigade.
When David was killed in Vietnam, we were contacted by a family in Rochester, Minnesota, and they told us that they thanked God for our son. He had

saved their son and another soldier from almost certain death by throwing himself on a grenade that was thrown into the foxhole. The other soldier I believe is Henry Mourning, from Leesburg, Virginia.
David was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Expert Badge with rifle bar, Sharpshooter Badge with automatic rifle bar, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Military Merit Medal, and the Gallantry Cross.
David is survived by his father, George; five sisters, Diane, Gerrie, Connie, Kathy, and Mary; and on brother, Bill. His mother passed away in 1992 from cancer. We are all proud of what he did.

The family of David Michel

*****

Dearest David,
We never really met
we never really had to.
You know me and I know you.
One from another we were always apart.
But we have a special place for each other in our heart.
A bond of love to last forever.
So even though we're apart we're still together.
We all think about you.
Part of you we'll always carry.
Love always,
Your little sister, Mary

Mary Michel Hellem, youngest sister of David Michel