Photos Page

Then and Now: 1964-2005
Photos Page for
Letters Home from Vietnam

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Michael's Bronze Star Certificate

[I am grateful to all who have contributed photos; this page will be updated as more images are sent to me. I am particularly wanting to hear from any veterans who may have pictures of Michael.]

Michael's junior and senior pictures--Bellaire HS 1964, 1965

Michael's Squad--Mike 3/7 Vets on Hill 55--On or about Aug. 10th, 1969

From left to right: 1st Marine's name unknown; 2nd is "Anaconda," a machine gunner; 3rd is Dave Torres who was killed shortly after this photo was made; 4th is Dave Bryson, corpsman; 5th is a Canadian machine gunner sergeant, name unknown; far right is Michael, rifleman and squad leader as of July 31, 1969. (Information from Dave Bryson and Michael's Service Record.) [Photo by Lt. Larry Orefice; provided by Corpsman, Dave Bryson]

"Elements of the 7th Marine Regiment form up south of Da Nang for a convoy
from Hill 55 to Landing Zone Baldy. Mid-August, 1969."

Photo taken by Cpl. Carson Bartels, Hdqts-7th Marine Regiment. "We took over the AO (area of operation) at LZ Baldy from the 196th Americal Division (U.S. Army). We had operated into the area from Hill 55 by going south but once we were at Baldy our patrols and sweeps were mostly to the west (toward Laos) or northwest (back up into the Arizona Territory toward An Hoa). It was a very wild place in August when we first got there with large concentrations of regular NVA. Our patrols and firebases were constantly making contact."

Mike 3/7 Vets on Hill 55, August 17, 1969

Photo sent by Greg Curwen. That is Greg on the left, Charles R. LeBosquet in the middle (both vets are from Madison, Wisc.), and Michael on the right (after losing 20 pounds to malaria and the bush that summer). This photo was taken 4 days before Charles' death on Barrier Island and 11 days before Michael's death in Chu Lai. This is possibly the last photo taken of Charles and Michael. Thanks to Carl Yousey for putting Greg and I in touch and making this photo possible.

Letter from Greg to accompany the above photo

"Five Marines--Mike3/7"

This is a reprint from the Mike 3/7 Slide Show and includes Michael on the right in glasses.

Photos of Michael's high school friend, Gary C. Franks
82nd Airborne, Vietnam Feb.- Dec. 1969

Veterans Display at Kingwood College Library

The San Antonio Vietnam Memorial

Photo of The Wall by Vic Vilionis
April 1998
Panel 18W Line 2

Vic Vilionis, my Canadian friend and Vietnam Vet, leaving mementos for Michael at The Wall in DC: A copy of Michael's web site, designed by Vic and Polecat, and a Yellow Rose of Texas -- April 1998

Sally Griffis (Wife of Bill Griffis, USMC, KIA Jan. 1970) and Joan in San Antonio, June1998. Interviewing for Sally's forthcoming book on Vietnam Widows.

Bill McBride and Joan in San Antonio, June 1998. Bill is a well-known Marine and VietVet, Editor of Vietnam Veterans Home Page

Joan today in my office at Kingwood College where I teach.

Joan with son, Paul (age 27) Jan.1999, and shepherd, Sasha. Paul has always cherished Michael's memory.

Joan with Marie Wright

Two survivors: "Meet me at the Wall"
May 28, 2000 before the
National Memorial Day Concert

This Special Tribute Lovingly Created for Michael By Casey Piatt, Vietnam Vet. Thank You--and
Welcome Home, Marine.

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