THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

While John and Mick were operating, Doc Ostrich, me and Danny Tizen were at the other table cutting off the leg of the Cambodian Soldier, who stepped on the mine that had wounded their patient.
Later on, I joined them at the table and finally met Fred for the first time. Afterwards, I remembered, it was the only time I ever talked to him during the time he was at Long Hai.
The next morning, we had to go back into the same mine field and get an American who minutes earlier, stepped on another toe popper. SSG Ryan and me were going through the mine field to get him. The grass was about a foot high and it was windy. Attempting to get out of our way, a Chinese Nung, took one step too many, and stepped on another toe popper. I took care of him and carried him out. The Nung lost his foot up to boot top and the American lost only half of his foot.
I overslept and missed the convoy in which SGT Mick was killed along with as many as fifeteen dead and wounded Cambodians. One other American was slightly wounded

John e-mail me.

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU, SERGEANT"

As a Veteran, I say "JOB WELL DONE, SOLDIER"

As an American, "YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN"

And as a Believer, "YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE--AND STRONG"

Again, thank you Sergeant, for your valiant and courageous service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND

Sgt. Fred Mick had come to Long Hai. He was TDY from Okinawa. The afternoon and evening on the day before he died Fred discussed his family life with me. He assisted me in surgery as we treated a Cambodian soldier's hands which had been seriously wounded by a mortar round. The following morning Fred Mick was in the lead vehicle of a convoy that was ambushed. He was killed by a chinese claymore mine that had been command detonated by the enemy. I have often remembered Fred and I traced his name from the Wall in D.C. a few years ago. He was fine soldier. God Bless America!

SGT Fred Mick was the last US Special Forces soldier to die in Vietnam. At the time of his death, he was assigned to 1st Special Forces Group on Okinawa on temporary duty to deliver equipment to and train Cambodian soldiers. I served in 1st SF Group 15 years after Mick's death, so I never knew him personally. But my commo chief, MSG Ron Cornell,knew Fred Mick and was with him at the time of his death. Cornell always described him as an outstanding young soldier, skilled and battlewise beyond his years. A main street in the new Special Forces compound at Fort Lewis, WA is named MICK STREET in Fred's honor. Here's a salute to a fine young American who died a long way from home, standing up for what he believed in.

LTC Hank Cramer
1st SFG, 1984-1988