Michael Smith served as an Engine Mechanic Third Class (EN3) and as a board-and-search rifle team member.  He was took part in three Navy tours in Vietnam between 1967 and 1971; all on Ocean-going mine sweepers (MSO’s.)  Michael worked Task Force 115/Operation Market Time, doing coastal patrols and board-and-search, plus mine sweeps on the Cua Viet River near Hue/PhuBai.  On the Mine Sweepers, they called themselves “Iron Men in Wooden Ships;” that was little comfort when they swept for mines with rounds hitting the hull.  An incendiary could burn them to the waterline in seven minutes.  In all, Michael was in the Navy four years, got into computers after he got out and had a career in computer systems development until 2004.  That is when he when I hit the wall with the PTSD.  Michael is currently retired/VA disabled in rural Arkansas.

Units:
USS FORCE MSO-445 (she sank in 1972 after I got out)
USS LOYALTY MSO-457
USS IMPLICIT MSO-455

In 1999, Michael finally did the California-to-DC Run For The Wall which was a true healing experience.  He proudly still rides a Harley – colored red for Tex, who didn’t make it home.