United States Marine Corps. Lance Corporal Havranek was killed in the Vietnam War. Michael is listed as Missing in Action.
Michael served with a seven-man Marine Force Recon team. Their helicopter was on a recon mission with the 3rd Recon Company, 3rd recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. The flight departed Dong Ha proceeded to the insertion location. The gunship made low strafing runs over the landing zone to clear booby traps and to locate any enemy troops in the area. No enemy fire was received and no activity was observed. The lead aircraft then began its approach to the landing zone. At an estimated altitude of 400-600 feet, the helicopter was hit by enemy fire. The helicopter was hit and became inverted and continued out of control until it was seen to crash by a stream in a steep ravine. Subsequent efforts by ground units to reach the crash area failed due to a heavy bunker complex surrounding the site. The ground units inspected the site from within 500 meters through binoculars and observed no survivors. Michael is classified as Killed In Action, Body Not Recovered.
Michael served with a seven-man Marine Force Recon team. Their helicopter was on a recon mission with the 3rd Recon Company, 3rd recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. The flight departed Dong Ha proceeded to the insertion location. The gunship made low strafing runs over the landing zone to clear booby traps and to locate any enemy troops in the area. No enemy fire was received and no activity was observed. The lead aircraft then began its approach to the landing zone. At an estimated altitude of 400-600 feet, the helicopter was hit by enemy fire. The helicopter was hit and became inverted and continued out of control until it was seen to crash by a stream in a steep ravine. Subsequent efforts by ground units to reach the crash area failed due to a heavy bunker complex surrounding the site. The ground units inspected the site from within 500 meters through binoculars and observed no survivors. Michael is classified as Killed In Action, Body Not Recovered.
United States Marine Corps. Lance Corporal Havranek was killed in the Vietnam War. Michael is listed as Missing in Action.
Michael served with a seven-man Marine Force Recon team. Their helicopter was on a recon mission with the 3rd Recon Company, 3rd recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. The flight departed Dong Ha proceeded to the insertion location. The gunship made low strafing runs over the landing zone to clear booby traps and to locate any enemy troops in the area. No enemy fire was received and no activity was observed. The lead aircraft then began its approach to the landing zone. At an estimated altitude of 400-600 feet, the helicopter was hit by enemy fire. The helicopter was hit and became inverted and continued out of control until it was seen to crash by a stream in a steep ravine. Subsequent efforts by ground units to reach the crash area failed due to a heavy bunker complex surrounding the site. The ground units inspected the site from within 500 meters through binoculars and observed no survivors. Michael is classified as Killed In Action, Body Not Recovered.
Michael served with a seven-man Marine Force Recon team. Their helicopter was on a recon mission with the 3rd Recon Company, 3rd recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. The flight departed Dong Ha proceeded to the insertion location. The gunship made low strafing runs over the landing zone to clear booby traps and to locate any enemy troops in the area. No enemy fire was received and no activity was observed. The lead aircraft then began its approach to the landing zone. At an estimated altitude of 400-600 feet, the helicopter was hit by enemy fire. The helicopter was hit and became inverted and continued out of control until it was seen to crash by a stream in a steep ravine. Subsequent efforts by ground units to reach the crash area failed due to a heavy bunker complex surrounding the site. The ground units inspected the site from within 500 meters through binoculars and observed no survivors. Michael is classified as Killed In Action, Body Not Recovered.
Inscription
There is a military stone in memory of Michael at St. Mary's Cemetery.
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