Cowboys To Soldiers

COWBOYS TO SOLDIERS

Michael Duane Belis--------------Kenneth Andrew Prejean

New Orleans, 1954

Mike Belis, 1960 Kenny Prejean, 1960

Pvt. Michael D. Belis, 1969 Pvt. Kenneth A. Prejean, 1968

Sgt Michael D. Belis

Co C 1/22 Infantry

II Corps, RVN 1971

PFC Kenneth A. Prejean

Co C 2/7 Cavalry

KIA May 1, 1969 RVN

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Kenny and I lived next door to each other in New Orleans, and were distantly related through the Prejean family of Milton, Louisiana.
He was my best friend for many years. We buried him just a few days before I was inducted into the Army.

He was always smarter than me, braver than me, more able to understand life than me.

He died a Garry Owen of the 7th Cavalry, returning fire with his 81mm mortar against an enemy attack at LZ Jamie.

The citation for his Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Oak Leaf Cluster stated:

"...when his unit's perimeter came under intensive enemy mortar attack, he exposed himself to hostile fire against enemy positions.
Disregarding his own safety, he voluntarily remained on station firing his weapon until mortally wounded..."

To view the memorial for C 2/7 Cavalry click on the following guidon:

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If you are able

save for them a place

inside of you

and save one backward glance

when you are leaving

for the place they can

no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say

you love them,

though you may

or may not have always.

Take what they have left

and what they have taught you

with their dying

and keep it with your own.

And in that time

when men decide and feel safe

to call the war insane,

take one moment to embrace

those gentle heroes

you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell

1 January 1970

Dak To, Vietnam

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