02 May 2003 SAN LORENZO HIGH SCHOOL VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT Eleven former San Lorenzo High School students died while in combat during the Vietnam War. Eight students graduated from San Lorenzo, three transferred from SLZHS before their graduation. In keeping with the desires of the San Lorenzo Veterans Memorial Program team members, all former San Lorenzo students are honored. Steve served in the Marine Corps. He was killed on January 27, 1967. He died saving the life of another Marine. For this act of heroism Steve received the Navy Cross. Steve died just 2 days after his 20th birthday. The Receiving Barracks at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is named for Steve. Steve was originally recommended for the Medal of Honor for his actions, but the award was approved for the Navy Cross. Navy Chaplain Ray Stubbe mentions Steve in his book ("Inside Force Recon, Recon Marines in Vietnam" by Michael Lanning and Ray Stubbe) and the circumstances surrounding his death and the subsequent medal recommendations. Steve's sister has wanted to see if the original recommendation could be acted on. For the last two years she, our students and various veteran groups have worked on trying to get the Navy Cross upgraded. Last fall the Marine Corps stated that the Navy Cross could only be upgraded if new documentation can be submitted justifying such actions. We're in the middle of that process right now. Edward K. Ferguson Class of 1962 Gary A. Plumb Class of 1962 Michael A. Welch Class of 1963 James D. Burns Class of 1965 Willis G. Cardin Class of 1965 Gerald R. Henry Class of 1965 James D. Piper Class of 1965 San Lorenzo High School VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT Steve A. Srsen Class of 1965 David E. Barber Class of 1967 Michael W. Green Class of 1967 Gary L. Giovannelli Class of 1968 The SLZHS Veterans Memorial Project annually awards a scholarship to a deserving SLZHS student in honor of the men named above. Until recently Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Menusa, USMC, was a Marine Corps recruiter at San Lorenzo High School. A veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, GySgt Menusa voluntarily left his recruiting billet in January 2003 for assignment to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division. We now have the sad duty of reporting his death: Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Menusa, USMC Killed in Action in Iraq on 27 March 2003. In addition to his parents and two brothers, he is survived by his wife Stacy and son Joshua, age 3, of San Jose, California. He was buried with honors on 11 April 2003, Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, California. The team members have decided that the 2003 Veterans Memorial Scholarship will not be awarded to an SLZHS student, but will be presented to GySgt Manusa's son Joshua in the form of a savings bond. San Lorenzo High School Attn: Veterans Memorial Program 50 East Lewelling Boulevard San Lorenzo, CA 94580 Telephone: 510/317-3100 x. 2257 slzvets@yahoo.com

 

13 May 2003 My Grandfather was a Marine during Vietnam and it is always sad to see a Marine go. I am going to be in the Marine Corps, so one day I will see you on the shores of Tripoli. "Semper Fi" Steven E. Parmley 2616 Washington St, Paducah Ky 42003 steven_parmley124@hotmail.com

 

27 May 2007 My father lived near PFC Srsen as a boy and he would tell me how he always teased Steve when they were young. My Dad served in the Marines and in Vietnam and I am SO proud of him for it. My Dad never tells me stories of his exploits but is always quick to praise PFC Srsen. In 27 years I've never heard him tell the story without crying. Brave Rifles! Captain Joseph M. Hickman, U S Army joseph.m.hickman1@us.army.mil

 

29 Aug 2007 Lay me down in the cold, cold ground Where before many more have gone Lay me down in the cold, cold ground Where before many more have gone. When they come I will stand my ground Stand my ground, Iï¿ 1/2 ll not be afraid. Thoughts of home take away my fear Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears Once a year say a prayer for me Close your eyes and remember me. Martin Lindman martin.lindman@sverige.nu

 

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY Washington D. C. The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS STEVE A. SRSEN UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for services as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism as a Rifleman while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Third Marines in the Republic of Vietnam on 27 January 1967. Private First Class Srsen was with the First Platoon, Company A, when it was engaged in action as a reaction force assigned to link up with a reconnaissance patrol. Early the next morning following the linkup, Private First Class Srsen's squad came under heavy small-arms fire and grenade attack. When an enemy grenade landed in his squad's position, Private First Class Srsen warned three other members of the squad, allowing them to take cover and escape injury. Wounded in his right side and leg from the grenade, Private First Class Srsen, after being treated by a corpsman requested permission to return to his position in the perimeter. Approximately thirty minutes later another enemy grenade landed close to another Marine and Private First Class Srsen gallantly pushed him to the ground, thereby saving his life. Mortally wounded by the exploding grenade, Private First Class Srsen, by his dauntless courage and grave concern for another had risked his life to save that of a fellow Marine, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. For the President, /s/ Paul R. Ignatius Secretary of the Navy

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