THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

Dear PFC Michael Nielsen, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It’s a New Year, but not necessarily better. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Mike, it has been fifty one years since you were killed in action.  You have not been forgotten.  We both experienced the trial of war together and I carry with me the memories of that experience.  As members of the 3rd Platoon, Hotel Company, 1st Marines we traveled along antagonistic and dangerous paths daily.  We agonized over the loss of our brothers, Ronald Jones at No Name Island and just weeks later Richard Walker and Jack Quinn at Viem Tay. The heat of each day was burdensome as we patrolled NVA and Viet Cong infiltrated areas south of Marble Mountain along areas best known as boobytrap alley, the Rocket Belt, and Reviera or stood security watch at the Tu Cau Bridge or the watch towers along the military supply road connecting Hoi An to Danang.  It was the night patrols that were the most frightening.  Every step was perilous as sympathetic Viet Cong villagers lay boobytraps everywhere.  Like our hushed and labored breaths, each thought and our sense of ourselves was momentary as we relentlessly prayed to survive another day.  There is a no moment involved in war that is trivial or ordinary, but through the calamity of it all you kept yourself together, you sustained the Marines around you, you provided courageous leadership skillfully, and because of that you will continue to be remembered as a heroic Marine.  I was not with you on Nui Mat Rang, having been wounded and hospitalized a month earlier, but I learned soon after of the two days of fierce fighting at Hill 845 that the platoon was involved in.  The Marines and corpsmen of the 3rd platoon were heroic.   As your former platoon leader, I pray you continue to rest in peace and that God has blessed your family with sustained happy memories of your life and eased the grief of your loss.  Semper Fidelis.

 

Dear LCPL Michael Charles Nielsen, 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

Michael is buried at Floral Memorial Gardens, South Beloit, IL. Lord's Supper section, 3rd row in from the service road, 9th column in from the north.