THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

Dear Ssgt Michael Thomas, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. The 53rd anniversary of the start of your tour just passed. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Independence Day just passed. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Staff Sergeant Michael Francis Thomas was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. He served as an Infantryman and was assigned to F CO, 75TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV.
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php

Staff Sergeant Michael Francis Thomas was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V), for his exemplary gallantry in action. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Merit for his sustained meritorious service. He served as an Infantryman and was assigned to F CO, 75TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV.
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php

On April 2, 1970, teams from Company F (Ranger), 75th Infantry, were inserted into the Renegade Woods, Tay Ninh Province, RVN, to exploit intelligence information which indicated that enemy main force units might be moving into the Renegade Woods to establish a base area from which to conduct offensive operations. A 13-man Ranger element was deployed from helicopters, and immediately found signs of recent activity. They began moving west toward where structures had been uncovered. Very quickly they made contact with the enemy and suffered one wounded. The Rangers then split into two teams. One team entered a tree line when they began to receive a heavy volume of fire. The other team had just reached the vicinity of a large bomb crater when a combination of small arms and a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) fired from the north killed SFC Alvin W. Floyd and SGT Michael F. Thomas and wounded SP4 Donald Tinney. After expending most of their ammunition, the team was rescued when a UH-1H from Centaur 23 landed after a low-level approach to pick up the wounded. The ship landed ten to 15 feet from the lip of the crater. After spending 30 seconds on the ground, the overloaded UH-1H lifted off with maximum torque and severe vertical vibration and cleared the tree line with 11 Rangers and its crew of four aboard. One of its M-60 machine guns jammed as it was lifting off, but the Rangers continued firing their individual weapons. The two dead man were left on the ground along with some destroyed or damaged weapons and equipment. Centaur 23 had to stop near Trang Bang to administer initial first aid to SP4 Tinney and to redistribute the passengers, some of whom were literally hanging on, before landing at the 12th Evacuation Hospital. The bodies of the two dead Rangers were recovered by Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry the following day. [army.mil]