Mike Clausen's MOH Funeral

[Super Dave]

Here are a couple of linnks to stories on Mike Clausen's funeral details. I was HONORED to be able to be a pallbearer. There were many Marines in attendance to pay their respects.


Newspaper Story (http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/060804/new_clausen001.shtml)


TV Station Report (http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=1924708)

[Sgt. Smitty]

Everyone that went to the Nam should be considered a hero....the only ones that welcomed us back were other vets that had come home before us. This country treated us like we were disposable diapers and basically flushed us down the toilet when we finished doing "our duty" to this "fine" country of ours.

[Sgt. Smitty]

I really get irritated at this govt. when a Nam vet gets buried...i attended the funeral of an Air Force Capt. 2 years ago that had just been returned home after being shot down in 1967....not one stinking politician from Oregon attended his funeral. Needless to say that there were no dry eyes in the crowd. His coffin was escorted to his final resting place by over 150 Vietnam vets who are members of the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association. It was a sight to see, and i think the Capt. would have been pleased to see over 150 motorcycles going down the freeway to honor him and pay their last respects.

[Super Dave]

There NO way Mike would have any stinkin politician there. This was a Marine funeral. There were TONS of Marines there. From WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afganastan, Somilia, and every other battle in between. We were there to honor a brother..Politicals need not apply!!

[Sgt. Smitty]

Sounds like Mike was a true Marine and a politician hater like me. It's just a shame that our generation did what the politicians told us to do but yet we get ignored by the people in this country. So many of our brothers and sisters died and are POW/MIA still, and this country won't help bring them home. No wonder we are know as the " Lost Generation"..........

[thedrifter]

Marine Hero Dies
Submitted by: Marine Forces Reserve
Story Identification #: 200469153454
Story by Lance Cpl. Adam J. Tustin



MARINE FORCES RESERVE, New Orleans(June 7, 2004) -- “Mike” Raymond M. Clausen, a Medal of Honor recipient, passed away at the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas May 30 at the age of 56 due to liver failure.

A funeral service for Clausen was held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ponchatoula, La. June 7. A military burial with 21-gun salute and a fly-over by CH-46 helicopters followed the service at Ponchatoula City Cemetery, where old and young Marines gathered to honor their fallen comrade.

The Louisiana native enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves on May 27, 1966. He served as a helicopter crew chief in Vietnam with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. On Jan. 31, 1970 Pfc. Clausen participated in the rescue of a Marine platoon that had been stranded in a minefield. Once Clausen’s helicopter had safely landed, and against orders from his superior officer, Clausen ventured into the minefield six times, bringing 18 Marines to safety.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, President Richard M. Nixon awarded Clausen the Congressional Medal of Honor on June 15, 1971. As Nixon presented the medal to Clausen, he shook his hand and said, “Well done Marine.” Clausen was the only aviation Marine to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor for service during Vietnam.

Clausen was one of the remaining 132 veterans alive today who received a Congressional Medal of Honor. A complete list of his medals and decorations include: Congressional Medal of Honor, the Air Crewman Insignia with three Gold Stars; and 98 Strike Flights Awards of the Air Medal, The Combat Action Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and one bronze star, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

Clausen is survived by his wife of 28 years, Lois Clausen. Donations may be made to the Mike Clausen Memorial Fund at the First Community Bank in Hammond, La. For more information contact Vivian Brown at 985-429-9899.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200469154746/$file/clausen1low.jpg

An M16 service rifle with Marine Cover atop and combat boots in front stands honoring Pfc. Raymond M. Clausen's loyal service to country and Corps. Photo by: Sgt. Leon Wood

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/5E3FCE05C4D3723485256EAE006B90C8?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

06-09-2004

MOH Recipient: Clausen, Raymond M., Pfc. USMC



Organization: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.



Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 31 January 1970.



Entered service at: New Orleans, La. Born: 14 October 1947, New Orleans, La.



Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 during operations against enemy forces. Participating in a helicopter rescue mission to extract elements of a platoon which had inadvertently entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions, Pfc. Clausen skillfully guided the helicopter pilot to a landing in an area cleared by one of several mine explosions.



With 11 marines wounded, one dead, and the remaining eight Marines holding their positions for fear of detonating other mines, Pfc. Clausen quickly leaped from the helicopter and, in the face of enemy fire, moved across the extremely hazardous mine laden area to assist in carrying casualties to the waiting helicopter and in placing them aboard.



Despite the ever-present threat of further mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving the comparatively safe area of the helicopter on six separate occasions to carry out his rescue efforts. On one occasion while he was carrying one of the wounded, another mine detonated, killing a corpsman and wounding three other men. Only when he was certain that all Marines were safely aboard did he signal the pilot to lift the helicopter.



By the courageous, determined and inspiring efforts in the face of the utmost danger, Pfc. Clausen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.



Editor’s Note: The Congressional Medal of Honor Society has announced that Raymond M. Clausen passed away on May 30, 2004. No other details were immediately available.

http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/csNews.cgi?database=DefenseWatch.db&command=viewone&op=t&id=521&rnd=760.0548288980827


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Police arrest Cindy Newton before Marine's funeral <br />
<br />
By Aimee Yee, Daily Star Staff Writer <br />
PONCHATOULA -- Cindy Newton, a well-known volunteer in numerous community organizations, was arrested...

[thedrifter]

Newton mum on flag dispute
By Aimee Yee, Daily Star Staff Writer



PONCHATOULA-Cindy Newton, Ponchatoula President of the American Legion Auxiliary No. 47, said earlier today she had no comment on her arrest before the Monday funeral of a Medal of Honor recipient.

Newton referred all questions to her attorney, Ken Ross.

She was arrested prior to the funeral services over an altercation with flags being placed at the entrance to the Ponchatoula Cemetery for disturbing the peace.

Witnesses reported Newton yelled and screamed that the flags were stolen and weren't to be used for the military funeral for Michael C. Clausen, or else they would have to be used for every military funeral.

She then allegedly began removing the flags that had already been placed at the Avenue of Flags at the cemetery.


At least three of the flags were placed in Newton's car trunk and she left the scene to return with paperwork to show a police officer who actually owned the flags.

However, the paperwork didn't specify ownership and Newton was arrested and booked at the Ponchatoula Police Department.

In the Wednesday edition of The Ponchatoula Enterprise, Newton said she planned to file a lawsuit against the post and the five legion members who were in the cemetery on Monday.

Newton said the flags belonged to the auxiliary and they had been stolen from the legion home by legion members.

Newton said she was contacted on Friday, June 4, as to whether the Avenue of Flags could be erected for Clausen's funeral. Normally, the flags aren't installed for veteran's funerals, she told the Enterprise.



It's usually erected about four times a year, she said, adding that she also contacted members of the auxiliary Executive Committee who agreed with her that the flags shouldn't be erected.

The Daily Star is currently trying to obtain a police report which was reportedly filed by Newton prior to her arrest in which she reported the flags stolen.





Last updated: Jun 10, 2004 - 17:53:52 EDT

http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2004/06/22/crime/crime06.txt


Ellie

[tophor]

This Cindy Newton should have the book shot at her from an 8 inch howitzer at close range!!! How could she make so much trouble over placing flags up for a Medal of Honor recieptiant!!! That is compltetly DEPLORABLE!!!! What the hell was she thinking!!!! She should be kicked off of her position as ladies auxiliary president, she disgraced her position and her American Legion Post!!

[yellowwing]

Cindy Newton is a chicken-head that does not deserve a second thought.

I have read the Award Citation of Mike Clausen several times. This and with the outstanding example of Cpl James Wright, EVERY MARINE knows for sure that one Marine will NEVER let another Marine down.

When my mind wanders on to what the full and detailed transaction of events were that occured on 31 Jan 1970, I can hear PFC Clausen yelling into the helo-comm system, "God dammit, Captain! Just get us down there and I'll bring them in!"

And the gutsy SOB did!

Semper Fi! :marine:

[MillRatUSMC]

"Sir, we should be holding the door open, instead of you holding the door open for us."
When our group was touring MCRD PI and we had stop at a dining faculty for something to drink before proceeding to our lunch at the 3rd Recruit Training Bn messhall.
Later that day, when we had our meal back at the hotel.
I spoke with Mike for an hour or more.
It was about my reading of his Medal of Honor citation in a book about Medal of Honor recipents from Vietnam.
His was in a section of "troubled Medal of Honor recipents" because he was drinking too much and would refuse to fly anything other than medvacs.
I told him, "After so much killing, all you want to do is save lives, and as a veteran of that war, I could see his point of view."
Now I think if I could talk to "One eye, crazy cajun" as he sometimes refer to his person.
He would tell me "What all that BS about?"
I could just as well be buried without any promp, just bury me in my Marine uniform and say a few prayers for me."
http://www.geocities.com/millrat_99/clausen.html

"The saddest part of the job that I have undertaken is that the armed services by their nature, represent the last resort,
when rational solutions to the country's problems have failed."
Lt. Cmdr. Harry Mossman US Navy remains recover in 1992 and indentified
recently.

Semper Fidelis/Semper Fi Mike, It was my pleasure to have known you!
I'm still waiting for those Mexican jokes, that you wouldn't send me.
Ricardo