Raymond M. "Mike" Clausen

CLAUSEN, RAYMOND "Mike" M. JR.  He was born October 14, 1947 and passed away May 30, 2004.  A Marine Corps hero died over the recent Memorial Day weekend.  After a long battle with various health problems, Raymond Michael Clausen, Jr., a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away during the evening hours of Sunday, May 30, 2004. Mike's wife, Lois, was at his side.  Mike was in one of the finest hospitals in the country, Baylor University Medical Center located in Dallas, TX.  He was being attended to by the best doctors and nurses available, but unfortunately, there was simply nothing more that could be done to save him. Mike was the only enlisted Air Wing Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in Viet Nam. He served with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM 263) as a crew chief, and on January 31, 1970 flew the mission for which he received the Medal of Honor.  View his citation here.  Preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Raymond M. Clausen, Sr., and brother, Jerry Clausen, Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Lois, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; brothers: GySgt Carl Clausen, USMC (Ret) of Hammond, Louisiana; former Marine Erdwin Clausen of Manila, Philippine Islands; sister, Christine Clausen Ballard of Albany, Louisiana; and 11 year-old beloved niece, Lois Lavita Evans O'Sullivan of Ponchatoula, Louisiana.  The Clausen family wishes to express a heartfelt debt of gratitude to Mr. Ross Perot for his loving care and personal attention of Mike.  Mr. Perot's assistance was a true act of patriotism and loyalty from one former military man to another in need.  Viewings will be from 4 to 7 PM, Saturday, June 5, 2004, and from 3 to 5 PM, Sunday, June 6, 2004, at Harry McKneely & Sons Funeral Home, 100 West Magnolia Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, and telephone (985) 386-6580. Funeral services will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 330 West Pine Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, telephone 985-386-3749, at 10 AM, Monday, June 7, 2004, with burial immediately following at the Ponchatoula City Cemetery.  Gonzalez Funeral Home Inc. Selected Independent Funeral Homes Stemmons Frwy Near Inwood (214) 630-5341 

Donations may be made to the Mike Clausen Memorial Fund, First Community Bank, 600 SW Railroad Avenue, Hammond, LA 70403, attention Vivian Brown.

Published in the Dallas Morning News on 6/4/2004. 
 

Companion Article from Pop A Smoke

A Marine Corps hero died yesterday...over the Memorial Day weekend. After a long battle with various health problems, Raymond Mike Clausen passed away during the evening hours of Sunday, May 30th. Mike's wife, Lois, was at his side. Our condolences go out to Lois at this very difficult time. 

Mike was in one of the finest hospitals in the country, Baylor University Medical Center located in Dallas, TX. He was being attended to by the best doctors and nurses available, but unfortunately, there was simply nothing more that could be done to save him. Funeral arrangements are pending, and will be posted as soon as details are available.

As I am sure you are all aware, Mike was the only enlisted Air Wing Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. He flew with HMM-263 as a crewchief and on 31 January 1970 flew the mission for which he received the MOH. His bravery that day is well known by the members of the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, and many others...others such as Ross Perot.

The reason that Mike was in Dallas, instead of a VA hospital in Louisiana was due to the fact that when Ross Perot got word of Mike's difficulties, he sent his own personal jet to bring Mike back to Dallas. He then ensured that Mike received the best medical care available.  He did this all at his own expense without hesitation. But it goes much further than the tremendous financial costs covered by Ross Perot. It was yet another true act of patriotism and loyalty from one former military man to another who was in need. 

Thanks from all of us at the Association for everything that you did for one of our own, Mr. Perot. We "popped a smoke" and you answered the call.

Semper Fi,

Roger Herman
Founder and former President
USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association

Raymond M. Clausen's History Index

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