Behind the Name on the Wall



Row after row, section after section, names and more names, the names of Amercians killed during the Viet Nam War. Each year visitors leave something behind.
But, for many, it is tears that they leave behind.
For them, it is more than a name on the wall, it is a brother, father, friend, or war buddy.
One name on the wall:
MICHAEL JAMES JOHNSON

Age: 19

Race: Caucasian

Sex: Male From: OWOSSO, MI

Religion: PROTESTANT

Marital Status: Single

PFC - E3 - Army - Regular

25th Infantry Division

Length of service 0 years

His tour began on May 28, 1968

Casualty was on Jun 19, 1968

In GIA DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM

HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY

GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE

Body was recovered


Panel 56W - Line 35



Behind the name on the wall is a person. His headstone gives the birth and death dates. But who can list the things the fill in the dash between those dates? He was a son, a brother, a cousin, a friend, a grandson, and a buddy. He was young, full of dreams that he didn't live to follow, and to someone a hero.




If you know someone who is listed on the wall you can go to The Memorial Wall search the names and leave personal statements about that person on his page. It is a way of letting visitors know the person behind the name on the wall.

May you rest in peace.