Loss over the memorial day weekend

[Eaglestrikes]

I have excerpted and edited the original post concerning this event. It can be seen in it's entirety at the Link I have posted at the bottom.
I served in H&Ms 16 MAG 16, 1st MAW during my second tour. I joined this unit in Feb of 70. I met Sgt Claussen but knew him only in passing. Never the less he was well known in the Group.

A Marine Corps hero died yesterday...over the Memorial Day weekend. After a long battle with various health problems, Raymond Mike Clausen passed away during the evening hours of Sunday, May 30th. Mike's wife, Lois, was at his side. Our condolences go out to Lois at this very difficult time.

Trying to come up with a fit memorial for someone is difficult to do. I thought this might be the better Memoriam.

[QUOTE]The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RAYMOND M. CLAUSEN, JR. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following
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, Marine Aircraft Group 16, First Marine Aircraft Wing, during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 January 1970. Participating in a helicopter rescue mission to extract elements of a platoon which had inadvertently entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions, Private First Class Clausen skillfully guided the helicopter pilot to a landing in an area cleared by one of several mine explosions. With eleven Marines wounded, one dead, and the remaining eight Marines holding their positions for fear of detonating other mines,

Private First Class 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 his courageous, determined and inspiring efforts in the face of the utmost danger, Private First Class Clausen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Requiescat In Pace......... TAPS.

More can be seen here.
http://www.popasmoke.com/notam2/show...&threadid=4436

[Super Dave]

I was called tonight, I might be escorting his body, with my Marine Corp League Detachment Honor Guard, to the DFW airport for his flight home. If needed it will be a GREAT honor to be able to escort him to the airport.

[HardJedi]

My condolences to his family and friends. And super Dave, if you get to do that, what an HONOR. hope you get to.

[Super Dave]

Got the Stand By to Stand By call. We will escort him to DFW airport and then hop on the plane and fly home with him. Once home we will escort him to the funeral home and then return home. It will be an in unbelievable honor to do so.

[cjwright90]

Wonderful Honor, SuperDave!

[MillRatUSMC]

Super Dave, what an Honor, we wish to extent our condolences to Lois...wonder if you would extent them for me?

Semper Fidelis/Semper Fi
Ricardo

[Sparrowhawk]

the men of those choppers in Nam have always been in my heart and mind.

They all derved medals for what they did.
I have palced my flag at half mast for him today.

Cook

[Super Dave]

If anyone wants a message delivered to the family please email me at david.carpenter@cingular.com and I will pass them along to his wife.

[devildog21345]

Super dave

send me a pm I have something to talk to yopu about

[Super Dave]

We got a 24 hour stand down. We will be escorting him to the airport Thursday evening. We will be traveling to Ponchatoula, LA on Monday for the funeral.

[Eaglestrikes]

The interest this generated led me to believe an update would be in order.
Posted from Poppasmoke and duly attributed.

USMC/VIETNAM HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION MAILING LIST
-------------------------------------------------------
Marines, Corpsmen, & Others,

Passing along this information from Christina Allen:
---
Here is the information for the funeral services and viewing for MOH Recipient Mike Clausen. Rick Lottie will be arriving on Saturday morning and returning back to Dallas on Monday evening. I plan on attending Mike's funeral on Monday. If any of you may be able to attend, please let me know so that I can have the privilege of shaking your hand. Please pass this onto all Marines that you know and feel free to post this on military forums so that all who wish to attend will have the information at hand.
For those wishing to send Lois a card or letter, please let me know and I can provide you with her mailing address and for those who have asked where to send flowers to, please be so kind as to send them to the funeral home. Thank you all for your support and sentiments towards Mike and Lois.
Sincerely,
Christina Allen
callen@ottawork.com
The viewing will be on: Saturday and Sunday, June 5th and 6th 2004.
Saturday viewing hours: 4-7pm
Sunday viewing hours: 3-5pm
Harry McKneely & Sons Funeral Home
100 West Magnolia Street
Ponchatoula, LA 70454
(985) 386-6580
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 7, 2004 at 10am at:
St. Joseph Catholic Church
330 West Pine Street
Ponchatoula, LA 70454
(985) 386-3749
The family will be receiving guests at a reception after the funeral. The location is yet to be announced.

Semper Fi,
Wally "Bytes" Beddoe