Hundreds of people, many dressed in shades of red, white and blue, encircled the flag pole at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 696 on Saturday afternoon in memory of one man, Lance Corporal Michael Wayne Simon.
A graduate of Owensboro Catholic High School, Simon was a machine gunner with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Third Platoon during the Vietnam War. Simon provided a cover of heavy machine gun fire to allow his fellow Marines time to extract the wounded from an ensuing North Vietnamese Army and then he jumped in to assist with the evacuation of the wounded. While attempting to retrieve another injured Marine, Simon himself was mortally wounded. He died on June 5, 1968, less than a year after joining the Marine Corps.
On Saturday afternoon, with Simon’s family and friends in attendance, words were shared in Simon’s memory, of the type of brother and man he was, and of the type of Marine he was for sacrificing himself for his brothers.
Simon’s son Michael Wayne Simon, Jr., was just a toddler when his father left to serve his country. Michael Wayne (little Mike) received both a miniature version of the road sign that now bears the name of his father and the resolution signed by Kentucky State Representative Suzanne Miles.
“This highway designation will serve as a constant reminder to all those who see it, to honor the memory of Michael Wayne Simon,” Miles said of the road sign that now named a portion of Kentucky 144 where it intersects with Kentucky Route 63, LCPL Michael Wayne Simon Memorial Highway.
John Kaper, a Vietnam era Marine who was stationed with LCPL Simon, shared several memories from their short time together, including Simon’s final hours.
“He served his country and died for his country,” Kaper said. “I’m very proud of him.”
