Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Dear Barbara, and family; I had been thinking of Mike the day this nation celebrated Veterans Day, 11/11/24,.
Mike was my medical company commander in VietNam, B Company Medical, Support Battalion
173rd. Airborne Brigade, June of 1965. From the day I met Mike, I knew he was in charge. He was cordial, friendly, and compassionate, but a true AirBorne Soldier. Always clean, well shaven, cru cut, and as the Military lingo goes, strack ! he ran his Company with a strong, but compassionate manner. He was a true soldier, Airborne, All the Way. I came to the 173rd. as a LEG, not an Airborne soldier, or Jump Qualified. But as the weeks went on, our Brigade Commander, felt it was necessary, and important for all non AirBorne qualified soldiers to become Jump Qualified. Mike was my physical Fitness mentor, he led by action, and example, he Ran, did Push ups, sit ups, and Jumping Jacks. I learned quickly from him, that to be an AirBorne Trooper, you needed to be physically Fit, and Spit, and Polished ! Captain Mike was well respected by all his troops for his military bearing, as well as his professional Medical accumen. You will be truly missed, Captain Mike. God Bless ! Joe M.
