Raymond Smith

Michael Roy Clasen was killed in Vietnam, 25 August 1968.  He was a Navy Corpsman stationed with the Marines in Quang Tri, Vietnam.  God bless you Mike, for giving the ultimate sacrifice for your country.

Burton (Burt) Williams

Thank you for your sacrifice, Mike.

"The Patriot's Blood is the seed of Freedom's Tree"  -  Thomas Campbell

Visit Mike on the Vietnam Virtual Wall at the following links:

http://www.virtualwall.org/dc/ClasenMR01a.htm

http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=9332

http://thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=9332

David G. Berry

"At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them."

Rest in Peace, Mike.

David G. Berry

In Jan Scrugg's book, "To Heal A Nation," he tells about some Marines who took over a D.C. bar as their base of operations during the time when the Wall was being dedicated. At one point, one man toasted the Navy Hospital Corpsmen who served with them in the field as their medics, living with them, taking care of them and, too often, dying alongside of them.  To a man they stood, many with tears in their eyes, and started chanting "Corpsmen! Corpsmen! Corpsmen!"
 

Dennis Patrick (O'Shea)

 I was thinking about Mike, who when I knew him was at Napa College. Full of laughter gentle,, going to get married to his girlfriend Hollie, not wanting to have to kill anyone if he was to be called up.. Vice President of Chi Lambbda Rho, and just a very good person and friend, one could not want more than that.. I'm not sure that he would ever think of himself of a hero, but did want to contribute, just not have to hurt anyone. He has always left a hold in my life

Robert Benning

Mike and I learned to fly out at Napa Airport. He was such a likeable and gentle guy. I had heard of his death but did not know if he was flying for the military. At that time the Army asked me to become a warrant officer and fly choppers for them. I kindly declined.

Stephen Rae

An old friend, I closed my eyes and saw his face as I rubbed his name on the Wall.  Why Mike?

Diane Raymond (Ball)

Mike Clasen was one of the "good guys".  He always had a sincere, "Hello", and nice smile.  Just an all-round, nice, friendly guy.  Sorry, you left us too soon!

Brian O'Hara

Mike and I were friends in high school, but in college (NJC), we became the best of friends.  As Pat O'Shea mentioned Mike was the vice president of Chi Lambda Rho fraternity.  He became the president in the 65/66 term and I was his vice president.  During his years at NJC he was a Napa school bus driver.

Mike was my first college roomate, it wasn't an apartment where we lived, it was a very small and old travel trailer.  We worked the summer of 66 at Putah Creek Park, at Lake Berryessa.  For 6 or 7 weeks that summer, we commuted to NJC for summer classes.  Then rushed back, like a bat out hell, trying not to be late for work.  When I say our trailer was old, it was so old, that it had an ice box.  A wooden box that we'd place a block of ice in.  This was the summer that Mike renewed his friendship with Holly, whom he had met a previous summer, and fell deeply in love and proposed. (she said YES).

Mike was the kind of guy, who always wanted to help, he would volunteer before you could ask him for help.  You may wonder how or why Mike became a corpsman?  Mike had an enormous affection and respect for his stepfather Mr. Skov. Mr. Skov was a physical therapist, and Mike wanted to be a physical therapist like his stepfather.  Part of Mike's recruitment by the Navy was the promises of physical therapy schools that they would send him to.

Mike was the kind friend and man that I would have wanted my children to know.

Rest in peace, Mike

Edward O'Donnell

I met Mike after High School.  We became friends through a mutual friend, Pat O'Shea.  Pat and I were already best of friends from High School and are to this day.  Mike, Pat O'Shea and myself had a few adventures together.  Mike married Holly and moved to Alameda.  We visited them both quite a bit.  Holly was an angel.  You could tell by the look on their faces how much they loved each other.  I always hoped that I would find that also and fortunately I did.  (Been married to the former Shirley Danser, class of '66 for the past 45 years.)  When I got the news that Mike had been killed in VietNam we were heart broken.  I told Mike before he left to paint his helmet totally green.  I knew from experience that officers and medical personnel are the first ones to be shot.  Mike, being the sweet guy that he was told me that they wouldn't shoot him because he was there to help anyone who was wounded.  This right here tells you the character of Mike Clasen.  A week later he was dead.  Holly asked me to be a pall bearer at his funeral.  Whenever I get back to Napa I try to visit his grave.  You will be missed by many at this year's 50th high school class reunion, Mike.