Michael was an outstanding athlete in high school
He excelled in basketball, football, and track.
Breaking many school records and state records.
He pole vaulted 13'3" and maintained the school record until
it was broken in the early 80's.(Michael used an aluminum pole,his
record was broken with a fiberglass pole)
He won the state championship in class B twice,
once as a sophmore in 1963 and again during his senior year.
He place third in the state his junior year.
He was also an all-conference end on the football team his senior year.
He lettered in basketball, football, and track.
Upon his graduation in 1965.
He received a schlorship from ROTC
and some others that I can not remember.
He attended college at Michigan Western University,
for two years before entering into the Army September 14, 1967.
Michael also loved the game of golf,
which was brought to my attention by another veteran,
Nick Katzenstein, just one of Michael's SF Friends.
He received basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky,
and went on to Green Beret training
at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Michael arrived in Vietnam in Jan 06 1969.
He was assigned to Ban Me Thuot, Vietnam.
On his first recon mission, his team had captured a prisoner,
which gave Michael some R&R time to do what he pleased with.
He traveled to Oui Nhon to visit Jim Atwood,(my husband now)
they had three fun filled days together, recalling old times of back home.
Michael was reported missing soon after.
He volunteered to go on another recon mission
with Sgt.William A. Evans. The area that they
went into was a Rest and Relaxation Center for the NVA.
It was an early Sunday evening
when they were exfiltrated into the area.
Michael,Bill, and 6 Indigs .

Recently my parents were sent what is suppose
to be my brother's dog tag.
It was collected by JPAC from a villager
who said he found it and would sell it to them.
Mike's dog tag was left at Ban Me Thout with all his other gear.
The dog tag looked pretty new for being 40 some years old and under the ground.

Special Operations did not wear their tags into enemy territory,
or anything that was US issued.
LTC. Earl Trabue confirmed this to me.
He told me those behind the desk and JPAC are only
doing there job. Everything on the POW/MIA reports
are stoney beach reports ,
which means they are not fact nor proven.

Reconnaissance tactics are noted in Vietnam Experience/ A Contagion of War.

I have meant with the door gunner (David McCarthy)
on that mission and talked to Major Head ,
(that was Michael's first recon leader).
John "BUFF" Costello, a medic who knew Mike and came straight from Vietnam to meet the family.
Many more comrades of Michael have contacted me through the years.
Michael always said that when he came back home,
he would continue his college education.
But, I actually believe he would of made a career
out of the Special Forces.
His dream was to become a lawyer.
I know deep in my heart that
he would of made a damn good one.
Michael has touched so many people in his life
and still today he is not forgotten.
Special Forces Association of Michigan
has honored him by naming their chapter after him.
Michigan Michael May Memorial Chapter LV .
Mike was a gentle, caring person,
he had many friends and loved this country.

He excelled in everything that he set out to accomplish.
He was my hero, my best friend, and my guardian.
With the help of the internet, I can now tell the world
about my brother and I know he will never be forgotten.