TCHS Alumni News - Vietnam War Won't Go Away

	ARCHIVE

Vietnam War Won't Go Away

The late SP4 Michael Volheim of Hayward. Michael was a member of TCHS' class of 1966. Photo: After "Vietnam: One Week's Dead" LIFE Magazine, Vol. 66, No. 25, June 27, 1969.

Aug 12, 2003 -- Jeffrey Handley '67 has written to inform us that we'd omitted Michael C. Volheim '66 from the Honor Roll. Michael had moved to Hayward after graduation and is thus not linked to TC in the official lists. Thanks, Jeff!

Update: August 29. It turns out that the accompanying photograph appeared in Life magazine in 1969 as part of its coverage of war deaths. Jeff Handley has forwarded a letter from Mike Hayes '66 who reports the following: "After Michael Volheim graduated from TCHS, he apparently moved in with his other divorced parent, (I'm unsure which) and changed his last name. He ended up in the Army, went to Vietnam, where he was killed in action in 69. He's probably the only TCHS grad to ever make the cover of Life magazine. In that particular edition, Life published the picture of all 500+ Americans to die in Vietnam on the preceeding week. Michael's formal Army portrait was the cover of the magazine because he was the first fatality of that week. I walked into the [military police] company Day Room, where I came across the magazine with Michael's face looking at me from the cover [and had] instant recognition of Michael and what had happened to him. Bummer."

The following is from The Virtual Wall, a commemorative web site.
*************************
The Virtual Wall says: MICHAEL CORY VOLHEIM was born on November 8, 1948 and joined the Armed Forces while in HAYWARD, CA. He served as a 11B20 in the Army, Battalion 6, Regiment 31. In 1 year of service, he attained the rank of SP4/E4. On May 29, 1969, at the age of 20, MICHAEL CORY VOLHEIM perished in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Long An.
*************************

Let us not forget Private Samuel Don Danna, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service, Pvt. Danna served our country until November 13th, 1966, in South Vietnam. He was 23 years old and was not married. Samuel died from small arms fire. His body was recovered. Samuel was born on September 8th, 1943, in Temple City. Pvt. Danna is on panel 12E, line 066 of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Samuel didn't attend TCHS as far as we know, but he would have been a member of the class of 1960 or 1961.

Reader Comments

Discuss this article in the forums!


Rlynne Guibani	Nov 25, 2003	Sydney	student
Hello,I am a year 10 student from Trinity Catholic College at Auburn, and our history class are investigating the Vietnam War concerning the National Service and the Conscription. We wish to survey individuals who were involved at this time, to comprehend how they felt and what they went through. I am finding trouble contacting individuals to send our survey to, and I am hoping that by leaving this message here that someone can get back to me. Please contact me if your interested to participate in our investigation. Thanks. Rlynne Guibani


Harmon Heed	Dec 11, 2003	San Francisco	Retired
Served in Vietnam as a rifle and long range recon platoon leader and infantry company commander in 1970 and as an advisor to the Vietnamese Rangers in 1972


Stephen Volheim	Jan 16, 2004	Pace, Florida	Student
i never knew michael. but i do know that there arent that many volheims in america. i'd say less than 20. michael was the 1st 2 die. isnt that awesome?