 | Medal Of Honor & Combat Air crew Wings?
You spell that with four letters "MIKE"
Raymond Michael Clausen, Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in January 1970, was born October 14, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from high school in 1965, 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 received recruit training with the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, and individual combat training with the 3d Battalion, 2d 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 active duty service. 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.
A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Air Crewman Insignia and the Air Medal, both with three Gold Stars, 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 star and one bronze star, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.
Private Clausen’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Clausen, Sr., of Hammond, Louisiana.
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-14 |
 | Major Pless VMO-6
Major Pless VMO-6 picture taken prior to being awarded the Medal Of Honor for actions while a pilot 19 AUG 67
Posted by Admin on 2009-11-10 |
 | PFC RAYMOND M. CLAUSEN MEDAL OF HONOR CREW CHIEF HMM-263
Private First Class Raymond M. Clausen was awarded the Medal OF HONOR for actions while serving as a CREW CHEIF ( CH-46) with HMM-263 on 31 January 1971.
Posted by Admin on 2009-11-03 |
 | Major Stephen W. Pless recieving the MOH at the White House
Major Stephen W. Pless recieved the Medal Of Honor at the White House from President Lydon B. Johnson for actions on 19 August 1967 while serving as a UH-1E pilot with VMO-6.
Posted by Admin on 2009-09-17 |
 | Capt S. W. Pless MOHR VMO-6
Cruise book
Posted by Admin on 2009-03-21 |
 | MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION PFC Raymond M. CLAUSEN HMM-263
MEDAL OF HONOR citation
Private First Class Raymond M. Clausen
Crew Chief Ch-46
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263
31 January 1971 Republic Of Vietnam
Posted by Admin on 2009-03-03 |
 | CMOHR Raymond "Mike" Clausen
San Diego Reunion 2002
Photo submitted by Top Brewer sbrewer127@comcast.net
Posted by Admin on 2008-12-28 |
 | Marine Corps Birthday; Branson, MO 2003
Rick Little HML-167, and Col. Don Ballard MOH at the Marine Corps Ball, Branson, MO Nov. 10, 2003. Don Ballard was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving as a corpsman with M Co. 3/4 in Vietnam. After Vietnam Don joined the National Guard, and rose to the rank of Col. Don is the only living Medal of Honor holder living in the state of Missouri.
Posted by Allyn Hinton on 2008-08-19 |
 | NAVY & MARINE CORPS MEDAL OF HONOR
This is the NAVY & MARINE CORPS MEDAL OF HONOR it was provided to me by Darrell Asplund ( Thanks Darrell) It was awarded only twice to Marine Corps Helicopter Crewmen for actions in Vietnam. Once to Major Stephen W. Pless a Pilot for VMO-6 for actions on 19 Aug 67. To PFC Raymond M. Clausen for actions as a Crew chief with HMM-263 on 31 January 71.
Posted by Admin on 2008-07-30 |
 | FED EX
On Sept 6th Stephen Pless would have been 62 years old. In his honor the Marines of Popasmoke and friends of Nancy conspired to deliver her an official USMC 1 ea Naval Aviator flight suit complete with VMO-6 patch and Leather Name tag.The best part was the FED EX delivery vehicle to Newnan Georgia.1 ea USMC Snake driven by LtCol Jeff Holder and Major Dennis Quill HMLA 773.
Posted by Brad Ryti on 2008-05-16 |
 | POSTHUMOUS MOHR PFC James Anderson, Jr. RVN 28 Feb 67
PFC James Anderson Jr. unhestitatingly jumped on a grenade to save his fellow MARINES.
Posted by Admin on 2008-05-13 |
 | Posthumous Medal Of Honor PFC Oscar P. Austin
Medal of Honor awarded Posthumously to PFC Oscar P. Austin for actions on 23 February 1969
Posted by Admin on 2008-05-13 |
 | Major Stephen W. Pless MOH UH-1E Pilot VMO-6
The text below was posted on July 20th in the Newnan Georgia paper on the anniversary of Steve’s death. Few will know the gift you gave on that hot August day thousands of miles away from family and friends. Few will know the price you paid when you and your crew flew into the enemies’ guns to save those soldiers trapped on that deadly beach. That gift is forever inscribed in the heart of the man you saved and those who loved him. Your service and devotion to your Corps and the Marines with whom you served is a benchmark to all who follow. Fewer yet will know the burden you carried as a young man who knew only too well what war does to the human spirit. Yet on this anniversary of your passing know that there remain those who stand always faithful. We hold your memory and gifts in our hearts and minds each and every day. Semper Fidelis Your Marine Brothers and Mom
posted for
Brad Ryti [bryti@isd.net]
Posted by Admin on 2008-05-09 |
 | Marine Corps Birthday Ball; Branson, MO 2003
Lt. Col. Rush the oldest Marine present cuts the cake while Col. Don Ballard MOH, and the youngest Marine age 26 look on.
Posted by Allyn Hinton on 2007-11-10 |
 | "BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS " 1969
Medal Of Honor Recipient RAYMOND "MIKE" CLAUSEN Jr.
with "Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1969.
Posted by Admin on 2007-10-28 |
 | 2ndLt. Terrence C. Graves, Medal of Honor
On July 7, 2001, the Terrence C. Graves Memorial was dedicated in the small Fingerlakes village of Groton, NY. A wreath was placed in rememberance of the team "Box Score" and VMO-6 KIA by MajGen, Pete Osman, USMC, and Stanley Kozlowski, USMC Ret., President of the 3rd Recon Association. The VMO-6 crew of Capt. Bobby Galbreath, Lt. Paul Jensen, SSgt. Jimmy Tolliver and Cpl. Harry Schneider perished with Lt. Graves and Pfc. James Honeycutt, 3rd Force Recon, on the fatal rescue attempt of Februrary 16, 1968.
Posted by Cecil Smith on 2007-03-03 |
 | CMOHR Raymond "Mike" Clausen & his wife Lois
last night of the San Diego reunion 2000
Photo submitted by
Top Brewer
sbrewer127@comcast.net
Posted by Admin on 2007-01-26 |
 | Phosthumously Medal Of Honor L/CPL Richard A. Anderson
Medal Of Honor Phosthumously awarded to L/Cpl Richard A. anderson, 3rd Recon for actions on 24 Aug 69.
Posted by Admin on 2006-10-23 |
 | MEDAL OF HONOR CREW CHIEF HMM-263
Mike says I must put up the "ONE EYED FAT MAN PHOTO" So here it is. Mike is a very PROUD MARINE CORPS PRIVATE. His honesty is overwelming, he just tells it like it is!
My Birth-Father Sgt. Leighton S Etter flew with Mike. Leighton was his left door-gunner. Mike was at his funeral in New Orleans in 2002. Great guy! Roger Sheesley [roger@sunburymotors.com]
Posted by Admin on 2006-06-12 |
 | MAJOR STEPHEN W. PLESS MEDAL OF HONOR VMO-6
MAJOR STEPHEN W. PLESS was awarded the MEDAL OF HONOR for actions on 19 August 1967 while serving as a Gunship Pilot with VMO-6.
Posted by Admin on 2006-05-12 |
 | Mrs Nancy Pless with her VMO-6 Flight suit
On September 6th at the Newnan/Coweta airport Nancy received this flight suit from friends in the Popasmoke Organization. As the Cobra flew off over the speaker in the airport terminal we heard. This is Marine Helicopter REDDOG 04..."Mrs. Pless, if
you"re still there, it was our privilege and honor to make this delivery and to meet you" 04 out... SEMPER FI
Posted by Brad Ryti on 2006-05-03 |
 | President Johnson awards the MOH to Major Pless
President Lydon B. Johnson at the White House awards the MOH to Major Stephen W. Pless for actions as a UH-1E Huey Pilot with VMO-6 on 19 August 1967.
Posted by Admin on 2006-03-12 |
 | LtCol. JP Holder and Major Quill
On Sept 6th Stephen Pless would have been 62 years old. In his honor the Marines of Popasmoke and friends of Nancy conspired to deliver her an official USMC 1 ea Naval Aviator flight suit complete with VMO-6 patch and Leather Name tag.The best part was the FED EX delivery vehicle to Newnan Georgia.1 ea USMC Snake driven by LtCol Jeff Holder and Major Dennis Quill HMLA 773.
Posted by Brad Ryti on 2004-10-30 |
 | Marine Corps Birthday; Branson, MO 2003
Don Ballard MOH talks with Glen Bailey at the Birthday Ball
Posted by Allyn Hinton on 2003-11-16 |
 | Steve Pless head stone
Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2002-10-05 |
 | Navy Corpsman Medal Of Honor HC2 Donald E. Ballard
Hospital Corpsman Second Class Donald E. Ballard received the Medal Of Honor for actions with M company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines on 16 May 1968
Posted by Admin on 2001-11-21 |
 | Two OLD Crew Chiefs get togeather
Raymond " Mike " Clausen Jr., Medal of Honor recipient Vietnam & Master Gunnery Sergeant George T. Curtis USMC Retired get togeather to visit in bed patients at the west roxbury, Ma. VA Hospital, October 25, 2001.
Posted by Admin on 2001-10-26 |
 | LtCol Holder presents Nancy with the flight suit.
On Sept 6th Stephen Pless would have been 62 years old. In his honor the Marines of Popasmoke and friends of Nancy conspired to deliver her an official USMC 1 ea Naval Aviator flight suit complete with VMO-6 patch and Leather Name tag.The best part was the FED EX delivery vehicle to Newnan Georgia.1 ea USMC Snake driven by LtCol Jeff Holder and Major Dennis Quill HMLA 773.
Posted by Brad Ryti on 2001-09-10 |
 | MOH-Mike Clausen at MCRD Sa
n Diego, 2001
While attending a function in L.A., Mike Clausen requested to attend the MCRD Gradua
tion. says Clausen, "Once there it sorta took a life of its own.....After the Graduation, the DI"s got me to speak at the DI School where all
these pic"s were taken......I had also been taken to meet the CG of MCRD and attended the flag raising that Morning.....The CG introduced me
and it grew from there.....Roger Herman (whom I was glad to see) also attended the Graduation with me."
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2001-07-21 |
 | MOH-Mike Clausen at MCRD San Diego, 2001
Mike was presented with Placks and Coins and and as his most prized possesion, he was given a Marine DI"S web belt, but could not get it around himself and it did not stratch so they gave him a large roll of webbing to get the proper amt.
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2001-07-21 |
Twitter | 
Facebook 
