First Name: Michael
Last Name: Stahl
Middle Initial: J
Date of Birth: 11/12/1946
Sex: Male
Martial Status: Married
Number of Children: Yes
Home Town: Milwaukee, WI
Education Completed: Not Sure
Other Occupations:
Branch of Service: Marines
Highest Rank: Sgt
Serial Number: N/A
Platoon: N/A
Age at Start of Service: 18
Years of Service: 4
Combat Veteran: Yes
Time in Combat: Not Sure
Place of Combat: N/A
Awards:
Year of Suicide: 1998
Suicide Method: Hanging
Veteran’s Story: Michael did not discuss the war; he was ground support at Da Nang and other missions not discussed. I am searching for information concerning his service record. Michael was an excellent person before and after service but never the same after his war experiences. Michael requested counseling at the V.A., was tested and diagnosed with a post war trauma type illness but was not treated because, in their words, he did not complain while in the service so was not entitled to consideration or treatment.
Submitted By: Joseph D. Stahl
Relationship to Veteran: Sibling
Veteran’s Story: This is to add to the information already provided by his brother, Joe.I was married to Mike from 1986-1996. I didn’t know him before Vietnam, so cannot comment on how it changed him. I do know that Mike was a wonderful person. He was a complicated man and it was obvious that he kept a lot of things inside himself, but he was a kind, thoughtful person and a good friend to all who knew him. He was a wonderful father to his son. Mike didn’t speak to me about Vietnam. However, he did speak to two people (that I know of) about some things. He told them that when he joined the Marines, he talked a good friend of his into joining up with him. That friend ended up dying in Vietnam…in Mike’s arms. He carried that guilt with him all the rest of his life. This was not the first time Mike had tried to kill himself. The first attempt (in the ’70s) was not successful. If Joe, Alex, Patricia or any of his family read this, please know how sorry I am to hear of his death. I only recently found this out, and I have no way of contacting you. I wish I could have done so many things differently. I wish I could have helped him. I am so sorry…
Submitted By: Judy Stahl Hayes
Relationship to Veteran: Ex-Spouse
