InfoSheet /Obituary - Michael D. Siegel
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Comments: Eastes, Taylor, Fleming, Powell, Patterson, Tegelman
I was in D troop from Sep 67 to Sep 68. I had been in a car accident after flight school (class 67-7, graduated in June of '67) and I came to the unit as a rusty FNG. I flew as as a copilot with Joe Bridges who was more than patient with me. I became an Aircraft commander in either Dec. 67 or Jan 68 and my call sign was Centaur 36. As a slick driver, most of my missions were 'single ship.' I was often flying "Ash and Trash", like driving a cab or bus or truck - taking people and supplies from one place to another. Honorable work, but pretty mundane. But sometimes we worked as an ambulance and sometimes we worked with the LRRP's. Those were the times that make the stories.
Obituary: (see online obit)
Michael D. Siegel (born May 17, 1944) died peacefully at his home in Bluffton, South Carolina on Saturday, September 14, 2024. His mother, Mildred Siegel, did something that was almost unheard of in the mid-1940s. As a single mother, she adopted him at birth and raised him in Wausau, Wisconsin with tenacity and courage those same qualities that would serve him both in his military and professional career.
In 1966, Mike enlisted in the US Army, trained as a helicopter pilot, and served his country with valor in Vietnam. For his service, he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Bronze Star, among other awards and decorations.
Following Vietnam, Mike returned to Wausau and began his career in real estate, first as a salesman, and then as a broker/owner. He would serve his community until his early 60s, and, ultimately, became a director of his local, state, and national Associations of Realtors.
In 2007, Mike retired to South Carolina with his wife Pati Burgess and was able to pursue his passion for golf while escaping the cold that Wausau winters can bring.
Mike is survived by his wife Pati, his daughter Katherine “Kate” Siegel, his stepdaughters Katelyn (Martin Nielsen) Sandfort and Emily Sandfort, and nine grandchildren.
Celebrations of Life will be held at a later date, both in Wisconsin and South Carolina.
Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation & Burial Bluffton is serving the family.
Comments:
Pat Eastes: Mike and I were hoochmates for our tours; we spent a lot of time together, both in the hooch and in the bunker and ditches during mortar and rocket attacks. Covered Mike on many occasions as he was performing hairy LRRP extractions.
I was at his wedding when we got back to the World (he referred to it as his Practice Wedding before Patti), and we spent a good deal of off time while we were IPs at Wolters. He was a good friend, a fearless pilot, and a joy to be around. We enjoyed each other’s company at several reunions. He will be missed. (This photo is at Siegel's MP 5)
Bob Taylor: God he used to make me laugh, especially on the golf course. Maryanne wonder how much of his back issues were actually caused by the prostate cancer?
Tom Fleming: Sad news. He was one of the most personable, reliable of all the heros I served with In 67-68. Mike was a good friend. Rest in peace brave Centaur .
Bruce Powell: I've had continuous flashback memories of Mike ever since Rick Williams sent the note that Mike had died. What a true hero and talented Slick pilot, and Instructor Pilot. He saved a lot of lives. Sharon and I also had some great times back in at Hilton Head with Mike & Pati. Mike will always have a prominent place in my memory.
Larry Patterson: I learned a lot about flying from Mike!!!
Bob Tegelman: Way back when someone told me where a guy that was in D Cav in Nam that worked at Jack Williams realtor in Wausau, Wisconsin. The same town I lived in. So I stopped in and they were right, We had some great chat about our times at CuChi. Years later we met again at one of the reunions at Fort Mitchell,KY and a good old chat again. RIP my good friend, you will be missed