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HONORED ON PANEL 41W, LINE 32 OF THE WALL
GERALD SAMOLEJ
WALL NAME
GERALD SAMOLEJ
PANEL / LINE
41W/32
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR GERALD SAMOLEJ
POSTED ON 10.3.2013
POSTED BY: Curt Carter
Remembering An American Hero
Dear SGT Gerald Samolej, 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
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
POSTED ON 5.3.2010
POSTED BY: Robert Sage
We Remember
Gerald is buried at St Michael Cemetery in Richmond, MI. BSM PH
POSTED ON 9.5.2006
POSTED BY: Bill Nelson
NEVER FORGOTTEN
FOREVER REMEMBERED
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."
Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.
We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes and patriots lost to the War in Vietnam:
Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.
From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."
Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.
We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes and patriots lost to the War in Vietnam:
Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.
From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers
POSTED ON 1.30.1999
POSTED BY: Bob Sherwood
My Best Friend
I first met Gary at Ft. Bening, Georgia at NCO school. We really hit it off right from the start and had the same ideas about the Army and Vietnam.
What I remember most about Gary is the time we decided to take an extended leave. We were given a 14 day leave and
both of us were going home for a visit. While we were waiting in the lounge at the Chicago Airport, we decided we would take 21 days instead of the 14. We, of course, ended up AWOL. We really didn't care because we knew we were headed for Vietnam anyway.
After about a month in Vietnam, the Army sent us off in different directions and Gary and I kept in touch by writing letters.
Gary, I was so shocked when I recived your letters back from the Department of the Army in December of 1968 and found out you had died.
I don't talk about Vietnam much but when I do, your name is always mentioned. Our friendship may have only been for 8 or 9 months, but to this day, it's still the best friendship I ever had.
I miss you buddy and you're not forgotten.
What I remember most about Gary is the time we decided to take an extended leave. We were given a 14 day leave and
both of us were going home for a visit. While we were waiting in the lounge at the Chicago Airport, we decided we would take 21 days instead of the 14. We, of course, ended up AWOL. We really didn't care because we knew we were headed for Vietnam anyway.
After about a month in Vietnam, the Army sent us off in different directions and Gary and I kept in touch by writing letters.
Gary, I was so shocked when I recived your letters back from the Department of the Army in December of 1968 and found out you had died.
I don't talk about Vietnam much but when I do, your name is always mentioned. Our friendship may have only been for 8 or 9 months, but to this day, it's still the best friendship I ever had.
I miss you buddy and you're not forgotten.