SGT Michael Paul Simpson, Mattoon, IL on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

The 1968 Annual Historical Supplement, 2d Battalion 14th Infantry provides the following information regarding operations of the battalion in August and September and the loss of 3 men on 20 September 1968.

On the basis of early successes in the Duc Hoa area, by the end of August all elements of the Battalion were moved into an operational area near the village of My Hanh, where FSB Keene (XT614017) was established as the Battalion Headquarters. With the establishment of FSB Keene and the smaller defensive perimeter of Companies A and D, local enemy forces realized the threat of continued operations against their area of influence. The Viet Cong infrastructure in Duc Hoa District was a well-organized, dedicated force of guerillas. Operations conducted by the Golden Dragons during the month of August had not only damaged their organization, but their local prestige as well.

The first organized action against the Golden Dragons took place on the evening of 1 September when an enemy force engaged the defenders of FSB Keene with RPG and small arms fire. The men of Company B immediately returned fire and directed the employment of mortar and artillery fire into the enemy's positions. All enemy fire was silenced in a matter of minutes and when a search of the area was conducted on the following morning, there were 6 VC KIA (body count) near the perimeter and blood trails of an additional 3 VC KIA (possible). During the conduct of local sweeps on 2 September, guerilla forces were again engaged with a 3 VC KIA (body count) and the capture of an RPG launcher and an AK-50. Enemy activity continued to be primarily attacks by fire with RPG's and mortar rounds, directed primarily against FSB Keene and the ambush patrols from FSB Keene. Booby traps also became common hazards in the Duc Hoa area of operation, by the end of the year, over 300 hundred booby traps had been found, and in some cases detonated, by the men of the Battalion.

Daylight contact with VC forces was not forthcoming until 15 September, when Companies A and B made contact with an enemy force while conducting heliborne assaults near the Oriental River (XT435054). During the short engagement that ensued, the Companies captured 2 AK-47 assault rifles, 1 M-79 grenade launcher, a 60mm mortar, an RPG launcher, 4 VC (POW), and 2 VC KIA (body count). Heliborne assaults became the primary method of operations during the month of September and the results proved to be so successful that the Battalion was able to get air assets for almost every operation that might be enhanced by aircraft. Heliborne assaults on 20, 26, and 30 September netted 11 VC KIA (body count), 10 VC (POW), 25,000 pounds of rice, and 4 AK's.

On 20 September, Company D came in contact with the enemy and three men were killed by hostile activity (KHA) and three wounded by hostile activity (WHA) according to the medals awarded to the men involved.

SGT Michael Paul Simpson was survived by his mother Ethel Mae Simpson (1907-1997). two sisters, Mrs. Nancy Hurst and Mrs. Pamela Hinkley, and a niece, Laura. He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Richard Simpson (1906-1968) and a brother Norman Richard Simpson (1934-1934). Michael and his parents are buried in Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois and Norman is buried in Graceland Memorial Park, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana.