THE WALL OF FACES

Michael,
We went thru boot camp at MCRD Plt 157 together. 50+ years have passed but I still remember our times in boot camp, I remember the DI's who were mean & as nasty as they could be to recruits. I especially remember the so called Free Times that they allowed us only to wash our clothes,shine our boots etc and I especially remember your friendship as I remember the brotherhood all of us in 157 shared.
Upon graduation from boot camp we (at least I did) professed our gratitude & a little love for those DI's we hated during those 12 weeks of hell.
After boot camp we went our separate ways, you to comm school, me to the big guns (artillery )at Camp Pendleton.
Aug.06,1965 our unit B-1-11 shipped out to Vietnam. It was only later in the year that you had beed killed in that freak accident along with six of our brothers.
Michael, I came home unscathed except for hearing loss, but it has taken over 40 years to talk about our time in Nam.
I know that when the good Lord calls me home I will be able to see your smiling face and shake your hand and you will say Welcome Home Marty!
Michael, I went to the Wall in DC last month for the first time. I touched your name ,had a sketching made and prayed for all my brothers & sisters on the Wall

Michael is buried at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, Bluffton, Otter Tail County, MN.

Semper Fi Marine.

Dear PFC Michael August Beringer, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Michael August Beringer
Marine Corps Private First Class
Born: January 12, 1946
Died: November 22, 1965

Michael August Beringer lost his life for his country on November 22, 1965, at the age of 19, in Vietnam. He enlisted under the buddy system in August, 1964, with two of his best friends from high school.
Michael was a radio communications man on a troop carrier when the motor went dead. The carrier was being towed by another boat when the cable broke. The boat was then caught in the tide, and swamped. Michael died that day with several other brave Marines.
One of nine children in the Beringer family, Michael was a likable young man, who enjoyed all types of sports. He would go out of his way if he thought he could help someone out. He attended Catholic school in Bluffton, Minnesota for eight years and attended four years of high school at Wadena Public School, where he graduated in 1964.
Michael's death was a blow to his family, friends and the entire community. He was survived at the time of his death by his father, Ambrose; four older sisters, Barb, Mary, Roselyn and Alice; and four younger brothers, Anthony, Joseph, John and Francis. Michael's mother, Hildegard Beringer passed away in 1958 from cancer. His brother, Joseph, died in 1974.
Mike's body was laid to rest at St. John the Baptist Church in Bluffton, Minnesota. The cemetery is visited every Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Family members have visited the Vietnam National Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. and the Minnesota Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Michael was very proud to be a Marine. Whenever he was home on leave, he would say, "Be tough, be proud, be a Marine."
Mike, we all miss you!!!

The family of Michael Beringer

From "The Faces Behind the Names" by Don Ward

Semper Fidelis, Marine!