(July 16-21, 1970) -- Pfc. Carl Lawrence Mickens, 26, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Mickens of 61 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, he 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. He 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 Belleville Times
The Belleville Telegram
