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The Ancient Greeks believed that if the dead were remembered, they never really died and were with us forever. That is the case with<em> Mike Kiley</em> who, as the commander of Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry, was killed in action on 20 November 1967, leading his company against the enemy. Much has been said and written about Mike’s life and the action in which he was killed. Mike’s tactical officer at West Point referred to him as “a young Patton;” his company commander during his first Vietnam tour call him “the bravest man in action he had ever seen.” He embodied the ideals of a professional soldier, and possessed “the sacred fire” Napoleon believed so important in his officers.</p>
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His classmate Mike Moran noted Mike’s terrific sense of humor and encouragement during the first “non-volunteer” Ranger classes for the Class of ’64. In addition to being a natural leader, he possessed the ultimate asset a large, brown Desoto which they all piled into for a trip to the Black Angus to eat their fill.</p>
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Bruce Foster met Mike at an officer’s club shortly before they left Korea after their first assignment. Bruce said that after West Point, Airborne and Ranger School, plus the “short tour,” he had a strong desire to get back to “the World.” In late 1965, the growing war in Vietnam was known, but still not in the forefront of their thought. There was no mistaking Mike’s objective. He was headed home to California for a short leave and then to Vietnam. His brother remembers him saying the place for a professional soldier was where the action was.</p>
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Mike’s first tour in Vietnam was with the 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Air Medal. He then was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, training troops for deployment to South Vietnam. Feeling wasted there, he volunteered again for Vietnam after only seven months at home. He asked to be assigned to the 9th Infantry Division but was sent instead to the 173d Airborne Brigade in the central highlands, where a series of border battles with the North Vietnamese Army were being fought. Assigned as the commander of Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry in October 1967, he assumed command of a company of veteran Infantrymen during some of the most vicious combat of the Vietnam War. Mike, through efficiency and sheer leadership ability, earned the confidence and respect of the officers and men of the company. In spite of the difficulties of taking command during combat operations, Mike led by personal example and professional skill during hard fighting around Fire Base 16. Wounded by mortar fragments through the knee, he was medically evacuated to the rear at the conclusion of the action, but returned two days later. He received the Silver Star for his actions.</p>
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On 19 November, the battalion was committed to assault NVA positions on Hill 875, near Dak To. Three companies of the battalion went into the assault, Mike’s company being held in reserve. The lead companies came under intense enemy fire and Mike directed his weapons platoon to prepare a landing zone to evacuate the wounded. He also expertly outposted the rear of the company to provide security.</p>
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The NVA attempted to envelop the American battalion from the flank and rear. Spotted by the paratrooper outposted in the rear of the company, the NVA were brought under small arms and crew served weapons fire, losing the better part of two platoons in the opening exchanges. There were too many NVA, however, and the troops manning the outposts either fell back or were overwhelmed. Mike immediately rallied the company, called in his other platoons for support to stem the attack, and stood his ground with his command group to buy the company as much time as possible. He and all of his command group were overrun and killed by overwhelming numbers of NVA. The platoon attempting to come to Mike's aid, commanded by LT Remington, was taken in the flank by overwhelming numbers of NVA and never reached the command group, Remington being wounded several times. Mike received the Silver Star and Purple Heart, for his actions on Hill 875.</p>
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Numerous books have since been written describing what became known as the Battle of Dak To. Mike has figured prominently in seven of them, particularly The Long Gray Line and Dak To, both recently published.</p>
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As his youngest brother, I can say with all honesty that Mike was my best friend. I was 14 when he was killed, but he had taught me his love of history and of collecting model soldiers. Because my admiration for him, I grew to love West Point, the profession of arms and the ideals for which they stood. I was privileged to graduate from there in 1976. His was the first professional military instruction I ever received, and it will be the longest remembered. His teaching always served me well, especially when in command of my own Artillery battery. On 24 February 1991, when I entered Kuwait as part of the Desert Storm with the 10th Marine Regiment, I felt Mike was riding with me; once more he was marching to the sounds of the guns.</p>
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The loss of my brother is still deeply felt by my mother, Eileen Kiley, myself and my brother Pat and his classmates. Nevertheless, all of us recognize that Mike went to West Point to serve his country and to become a professional soldier. He volunteered to serve in Korea, and twice in Vietnam. Mike served his country with courage, honor and distinction as a combat leader. His life has been, and continues to be, an example for us all. My brother Pat and I both serve in the United States Marine Corps. Mike Kiley represents the best of us, and our country. He always will be much missed. <em>Virtute et Valore</em>.</p>
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<em>Bruce Foster, ’64 and Kevin Kiley, 76</em></p>