Carl Lawrence Mickens

Belleville Boy Dies In War

(July 16-21, 1970) -- Pfc. Carl Lawrence Mickens, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Mickens of Wilbur Street, was killed in action on July 4 in Vietnam.

Private Mickens, lost his life in a booby trap explosion while he was on a military mission, according to a telegram received by his parents.

A lifelong Belleville resident, Pfc. Mickens had planned to be a vocational high school teacher.

Before entering the service, Pfc. Mickens had completed three years toward a teaching degree at Montclair State College.

Earlier he attended night school at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Pfc. Mickens had also completed four years of apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at Western Electric Co., Kearny.

"He planned to finish college after his discharge from the service next year," his father said. "He hoped to put his experience as a tool and die maker, and his teaching degree, to use as a vocational high school teacher."

He was drafted into the army in July 1969. After completing basic training at Ft. Dix, he took advanced training at Ft. Lewis, Wash., and Ft. Benning, Ga.

Last April, Pfc. Mickens was assigned to Vietnam and became a member of the 101st Airborne Division.

"He was a good soldier and took the problems of war in stride," his father said. "He really did not want to go to Vietnam, but when the word came through, he went cheerfully."

While at Montclair State, Pfc. Mickens was a member of the Kappa Sigma Chi fraternity.

He was also a member of the choir at Grace Episcopal Church, Newark.

Pfc. Mickens leaves two sisters, Linda Gail, and Shirley Jean, both at home.

The funeral was from the S. W. Brown and Son funeral home, 267 Centre Street, Nutley. Mass was offered in Grace Episcopal Church in Newark.

MICKENS, CARL LAWRENCE

BELLEVILLE, NJ

Date of Birth: Sunday, April 9, 1944
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

Branch: Army
Rank: CPL
Serial Number: 151340157
Component: Selective Service
Posthumous promotion as indicated
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B10
Major Organization: 101st Airborne Div

Start of Tour: Wednesday, April 22, 1970
Date of Casualty: Saturday, July 4, 1970
Age at time of loss: 26
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Other explosive device (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Thua Thien

The Wall: Panel 09W - Row 119