More detail on this person: Steinar "Stan"
Michelsen passed away May 28 after a long battle
with sophageal and laryngeal cancer caused by
agent orange. Stan was a member of Flight Class
70-5/70-3 and flew with the 361st ACE/AWC "Pink
Panthers" in Vietnam during the ' 70-' 71 time
frame. He retired as a CW3 after 22 years of
service flying the aircraft he loved, the AH-1
Cobra. His awards and decorations include the
Distinguished Flying Cross w 3 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Air Medal w/ V device, numerous awards of the Air
Medal for combat flight, Vietnamese Cross of
Gallantry w Palm (3 awards), Meritorious Unit
Citation, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal,
Good Conduct Medal ( Stan figured that one was an
mistake ) and many "I been there" medals. He was
a good combat pilot and highly regarded by all
those who flew with him in Vietnam and other
places.
Stan was born in Norway. He had been in a nursing
home in Harker Heights, Texas for several years
due to illness. He is survived by his wife, Judy,
a son, William, a daughter, Barbara, a grand son,
Brett, a grand daughter, Ashley, a brother and
several nephews. His buddies in the Panthers gave
him a membership in VHPA which he really
enjoyed. I am told he was buried with his Panther
Shirt.
From: Mike Sheuerman
This information was last updated 03/13/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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