05/25/2026
Michael Wayne Simon was my precious friend, and like me, he was a U.S. Air Force brat. He was intelligent, funny, and kind. It was such a sweet teenage friendship and we would laugh until we cried about the silliest things. Michael spent hours in our living room playing the guitar. One night, he stood outside my window playing until I heard my father call from the front door, “It’s late now, Michael. Time to go home, son.” Michael answered, “Yes, sir!” and off he went into the night.
He was just into his 20th year when he was killed in Vietnam on June 5, 1968 less than a year after enlisting in the Marines.
He was a kid.
For many years I didn’t share about Michael on Memorial Day because his death has always been a private heartbreak. But in recent years, I have felt a need to tell his story because I worry that the true meaning of Memorial Day can too easily be lost.
Official excerpt:
“Lance Corporal Michael Wayne Simon was providing machine gun cover for fellow marines pinned down by a heavy volume of fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force entrenched in reinforced bunkers and spider holes in the Quang Tri province of South Vietnam.
Realizing the necessity of gaining fire superiority over the enemy to enable the evacuation of casualties and without hesitation, he moved forward to an advantageous position from which he commenced directing accurate machine gun fire on the hostile emplacements. Despite intense fire from the concealed enemy soldiers, he resolutely remained in his exposed position and provided highly effective fire which enabled his companions to extract the casualties and withdraw in preparation for air strikes.
He then repeatedly disregarded his own safety as he helped several casualties to covered positions and was advancing to assist another injured Marine when he was mortally wounded by sniper fire.”
Today, I remember the boy with the guitar, the friend who made me laugh until I cried, and the brave young Marine who gave everything.
He has never left my heart.
I hope you will remember and honor Michael and the many thousands of others who have died in service to our country.
