I am sadden to learn of Mike's passing. I served with Mike when he was a Crew Chief and I was the Flight Operations Chief in HMM-263, RVN 69-70. I flew with Mike on many missions as a gunner. I always enjoyed his humor and through the years I often received all sorts of e-messages from him. The last time I saw Mike was at the Pensecola reunion in '98.

Mike is now on his good flight and my prayers are with him and his survivors.

Until we form again old buddy, Semper fi.

Barney Espinoza MSgt USMC(retired)

Goodbye my friend

Lois called me at midnight last night; we talked about the times we all were together: You, Lois, and me. Not much talk about the upcoming funeral.....just yakking about you and how much she loves you. Your neighbor was with her so I know she's not alone in the house (except for "Baby"). You have a tough Marine wife (wingman) in Lois - I think she'll do all right, buddy.

You called me in April when you finally got home from hospitals; you were happy to be home again. In that conversation I promised you that I would stay in touch with Lois after your gone.

I will keep that promise till the day I die.....so help me God.

Farewell my friend ... my hero, my brother.

"DeathBeforeDishonor"

Semper Fidelis
Patrick Hayes
"Choppergunner"
RVN 65-67
HMM-263/HMM-361

Raymond “Mike” M. Clausen, Jr. October 14, 1947 – May 30, 2004

A Marine Corps hero died over the recent Memorial Day weekend. After a long battle with various health problems, Raymond Michael Clausen, Jr., a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away during the evening hours of Sunday, May 30, 2004. Mike's wife, Lois, was at his side.

Mike was in one of the finest hospitals in the country, Baylor University Medical Center located in Dallas, TX. He was being attended to by the best doctors and nurses available, but unfortunately, there was simply nothing more that could be done to save him.

Mike was the only enlisted Air Wing Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in Viet Nam. He served with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM 263) as a crew chief, and on January 31, 1970 flew the mission for which he received the Medal of Honor. The official citation is noted below.

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 Viet Nam 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.

/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON

Born October 14, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mike graduated from Hammond (Louisiana) High School in 1965, and then attended college for six months. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at New Orleans, March 30, 1966, and was discharged to enlist in the regular Marine Corps, May 27, 1966. Private Clausen underwent recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, and individual combat training with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California. He then completed Aviation Mechanical Fundamentals School and the Basic Helicopter Course, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Memphis, Tennessee. Upon completion of his training in April 1967, he was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26), Marine Corps Air Facility, New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina, and served as jet engineer mechanic with HMM-365 and, later, as guard with MABS-26. In December 1967, Private Clausen was ordered overseas where he was to serve as jet helicopter mechanic throughout his remaining active duty service obligation. Joining the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, he was with H&MS-36, MAG-36 until September 1968, then with HMM-364, MAG-16 until the following August. Private Clausen returned to the United States, where he joined MAG-26 at New River for duty with HMM-261. In November 1969, he began his second tour of duty with HMM-263, MAG-16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. On August 19, 1970, upon his return to the United States, he was released from active duty. In addition to the Medal of Honor, his decorations include: the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with 98 strike flight awards, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal with one silver star and one bronze star, the Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Viet Nam Campaign Medal with device, Air Crewman Insignia with three gold stars, and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

Preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Raymond M. Clausen, Sr., and brother, Jerry Clausen, Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Lois, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; brothers: GySgt Carl Clausen, USMC (Ret) of Hammond, Louisiana; former Marine Erdwin Clausen of Manila, Philippine Islands; sister, Christine Clausen Ballard of Albany, Louisiana; and 11 year-old beloved niece, Lois Lavita Evans O’Sullivan of Ponchatoula, Louisiana.

The Clausen family wishes to express a heartfelt debt of gratitude to Mr. Ross Perot for his loving care and personal attention of Mike. Mr. Perot’s assistance was a true act of patriotism and loyalty from one former military man to another in need.

Viewings will be from 4 to 7 PM, Saturday, June 5, 2004, and from 3 to 5 PM, Sunday, June 6, 2004, at Harry McKneely & Sons Funeral Home, 100 West Magnolia Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, tel (985) 386-6580.

Funeral services will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 330 West Pine Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, tel 985-386-3749, at 10 AM, Monday, June 7, 2004, with burial immediately following at the Ponchatoula City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Fleur de Lis, 111 North 6th Street, Ponchatoula, tel 985-386-0710, immediately following burial.

Donations may be made to the Mike Clausen Memorial Fund, First Community Bank, 600 SW Railroad Avenue, Hammond, LA 70403, attention Vivian Brown.

-----------------------------------------
Posted for

Uncle Bobby
"Bob" Sackett

nolasack@cox.net

Mike

Farewell "Brother"
Semper Fi,
Tim

This is truely a sad day for the Corps. I had the honor of meeting Mike while attending MAWTS-1 WTI course in 1998. He was a guest speaker to the whole enlisted aircrew class. It was a true honor to have met, a true hero.

Semper Fi.

SSgt Gunther

Goodbye Mike

Said goodby to Mike on my favorite radio station today. I called them last week after he died and requested "We gotta get out of this place". Today, they were doing the year 1970 (How appropriate since Mike earned the MOH in that year). I again told them of Mike and his actions and asked them to play "Fortunate Son" by CCR. They did and my reaction was more powerful than I would have believed. I was crying driving down the road. One more Marine reporting in to Chesty at Heaven.

SF

LZ

Mike Clausen

Guys,
I received this e-mail a few days ago and I have sent it to all members of HMM-263 that I have an e-mail address for. If you could be of service to Mark please do so. I met Mike at the P'cola reunion and will always remember his smile and quick humor.

S/F Gary Alls
HMM-263
Class of '66-'67

Sir,

I don't think we have met but I am a member of PopAsmoke. I was a Huey and then a Cobra pilot with HML 367 in 1969 and 70. I am now a professional sculptor and am presently working on a set of small sculptures to commemorate one of your squadron mates - Mike Clausen. I met with Mike about an hour in 2002 at the Pensacola reunion where we photographed and measured him for the purpose of someday making a commemorative life size bust. I really regret that circumtances did not permit us to move forward with the project at that time and now he is gone!

I am writing you to request assistance with finding information about Mike - personal stories, after action reports, pictures, etc. We will use these materials first to set up a display about him at the upcoming reunion in Reno and to establish a website that helps to preserve the legacy of his valor, and that of all Marine flight crews that served in Vietnam. Perhaps various squadron mates in HMM 263 have in their personal collections pictures of Mike that have not been published on the web. These would be very helpful in our work.

You can get an idea of what we will do with this project by visiting the website of Valor Remembered Foundation below. With Valor Remembered I am currently working to develop a project to creat a memorial to Steve Pless in his home time as well as possibly to create a "USMC Vietnam Helicopter Flight Crew Memorial" based upon the a sculpture of the entire crew which together is the most highly decorated flight crew for a single mission in the history of American aviation - tied with a WWII bomber crew.

Please pass this request on to your squadron mates.

Semper fi,

Mark - Scarface 47
"On your six - guns hot"

Mark Austin Byrd -SCULPTORS
13309 Peyton Drive
Dallas, TX 75240

972-233-7677
www.scarface-usmc.org
www.markbyrd.com
www.valorremembered.org

a "PEEK"

A great work in progress by one of HML-367 "SCARFACE" pilots

Mark would like any photos of Mike sent to him ASAP at

www.markbyrd.com

Mark Austin Byrd -SCULPTORS
13309 Peyton Drive
Dallas, TX 75240

972-233-7677

www.markbyrd.com

www.valorremembered.org

A great work in progress by one of HML-367 "SCARFACE" pilots

Mark would like any photos of Mike sent to him ASAP at

www.markbyrd.com

Mark Austin Byrd -SCULPTORS
13309 Peyton Drive
Dallas, TX 75240

972-233-7677

www.markbyrd.com

www.valorremembered.org

Mike Clausen

I haven't visited the Pop A Smoke site in several months. When I did I read about Mike and was saddened to hear the news. I served with Mike at Marble Mountain (Hmm-263). Mike was a memorable guy for a lot of reasons. I flew with him many times during 1970. He wasn't the kind of guy to show boat. And although he was being recommended for the Medal of Honor you never heard it from him. He was a solid guy who cared more for his fellow Marines than he did for himself or his rank (he was a private the whole time I knew him). He was the most professional and competent crew chief I had ever flown with. I was very proud to have had the honor of serving with him. May God bless his soul. My sincere regrets to his family and friends.

Warren Molee
HMM-263
Marble Mountain RVN 1969-70
Semper Fi

Mike shall be remembered!

I know others are aware, but I thought that the links sent to me today by David C. Bennett, warranted being posted here.

and

http://www.carolinasaviation.org/press/ch46progress.html

MOH bird update

Brook,
Thanks for updating us on the "Clausen bird". I'm sure we all appreciate those that are able to donate their generous time and all important knowledge and experience to this important project. I was in and out of Charlotte-Douglas last month, and wanted to see the museum and bird. However it was the middle of an ice storm and the business trip I was on had to take priority, this time.
Wish I was in the area to help with the wrench turning....Good luck and godspeed, folks!

There are photo's in Visions of Iraq - Stateside at

https://www.popasmoke.com/visions-iraq/index.php?page=view&category=1&PHPSESSID=39ac37807e3aa88b42db52518170ccd7

of all the progress photos I have too date, not all the photos were taken by me, but forwarded to me from Dean Demmery (Tarheel53)
https://www.popasmoke.com/notam2/showthread.php?t=4070

Semper Fi,
Ryan