SGT Michael Leon Stiglich was killed on 8 October 1969 when the EC-47 aircraft, callsign PRONG 33, on which he was serving as an Airborne Morse Systems Operator, caught fire and crashed in Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam.

SGT Stiglich was born on 5 March 1946, in Roanoke, VA and graduated from Lord Botetourt High School, Daleville, VA in 1964. SGT Stiglich was enrolled at the University of Virginia for two years before he joined the Air Force.

SGT Stiglich enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on 7 June 1966. He was discharged from the Air Force Reserves on 7 September 1966 and enlisted in the active duty component of the Air Force on 8 September 1966. SGT Stiglich completed basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, and Morse Code training at Keesler AFB, MS. He was then assigned to the 6922^nd Security Wing, Clark AB, Philippines. On 23 February 1969, SGT Stiglich was reassigned to Det 1, 6994^th Security Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.

SGT Stiglich’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart (posthumously), Air Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.

SGT Stiglich is interred at Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem, VA. His name is engraved on the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall on Panel 17W, line 50.

Iraklion Air Station, Crete dedicated its library as the Michael Stiglich Memorial Library in SGT Stiglich’s honor.