We saw each other only at dances on Saturdays at the Concourse downtown. He wrote to me often and was gung ho about my going to UCLA. After I left for college, I never saw him again although we wrote one another. He married a girl from back home (Louisiana) and deployed to Vietnam, where he was known simply as Doc.

One day at UCLA, one of his letters returned to me. I asked my step-dad Ronnie Leach why that would happen, and he said it wasn't good, but write to his Lieutenant. I did. Though he had been in country only a few months, Michael had been killed in action. His name is on the Memorial Wall, and I will see it someday. As far as I know, his wife never remarried. Together, they had a son.

Among my friends, we called him "Michael 2" because there had been a heart breaker in my life, who was Michael 1. For any of Michael Jay Passafume's family, I want them to know he has not been forgotten. May he rest in peace. I treasure the friendship we had, the dances we danced ("Sonny") and the inspiration he was to me not to give up on my college dreams.

I found this letter on the Internet, written to him from his commanding officer:

He was my corpsman. my friend.  You'll always be a part of my life.Mike I knew for a very short time and I shamefully admit I had forgotten your last name until this moment. I'm at the Waltham Public Library searching for names on the wall for an elementary class trip to Washington and the 'Wall'. I want the visit to be touching and personal so I'm making dog tags for all 53 kids and 14 adults.While I was searching I thought I'd try Louisiana and.there you were. I want you to now that at the time of your death there was nothing any one of us could do to save you. You were revered and respected as we sang "The Lord is My Sheperd." We sat over your spirit until the next morning when the medivac arrived. What was so very ironic about it all was the helplessness we felt not being able to help you. knowing that the one person there to save us from harm was in fact harmed and taken from us. During the medivac I received a purple heart as a result of a barrage of mortar fire while we lifted you onto the waiting Jeep. It was nothing compared to your own personal sacrifice.The only redeeming piece of it all is knowing that somewhere there is a son of yours that I'm sure walks with his head held high.much like you. I wish you well in the spirit world and hope to see you again. I wish your family good love, good life.precious. Next to his rifle a marine respects and values his corpsman.thanks for your brief friendship and life long memories.L/CPL. Ralph Gradozzi USMC Monday, May 07, 2001 (End of letter)