This Page in Loving Memory of
Sergeant William Arthur Malenfant, U.S. Army
Coronado High School Class of 1965

1947-1971

January 3, 2002

Its been 30 years now and I still miss you.  When we first met in Vietnam, we spent many hours together, mostly in the air.  From the messages on this site, you had some good friends.

I don't know why God took you and spared me.  It just isn't fair but he knows why and must have had a reason.  It's just not for us to know.  I have tried to contact your family but until now I could not find anyone.

We had a relationship that is and will always be the the high point in my life.  You are the closest friend I have ever had.  I still relish the fact that we were the best crew in the squad, you knew it and they knew it.  May God keep you at his side forever.  You are my friend for eternity.

For those that read this in the future, Bill and I were crewmen together for several months.  I was the Medic and Bill, the Crew Chief.  As a Dustoff unit we were responsible for evacuation of wounded to regional hospitals.  We had many night missions, hot LZ's and hoist missions that could have easily gone wrong without the talents of Bill.  They put a lot of bullet holes in the old bird before they shot it down, specially in July.  What a month that was.  This site does not have your Bronze Star listed.  It should have been the Silver Star, you earned it.  It seems that every Dustoff'er I've talked to or read about they always say it was the best job they ever had.  I think that's true and I'm sure that was your feeling also.  You have left a large hole in my life and we only knew each other a short time.  I can't imagine what it did to your family.  Maybe one of these days I can meet or talk to your mom.  I'm sorry I couldn't get you home.

Your Friend,

Harry Miller

April 5, 2001

My Dearest Bill,

If I can stop crying long enough to write this...Finding this site through your friend and buddy (from childhood) Larry has totally wiped me out and reading your school buddies thoughts and memories of you was very emotional...I cannot believe the years that have gone by Bill and I miss you still and love you and will till (like Warren has) join you...We talk about you often, your name comes up in a very matter-of fact way...like, Bill would've liked this or Bill would laugh at that!.

You were so full of life. It breaks my heart that you could never meet your brother in-laws and enjoy your five nephews...Your sister Joanne had three and the oldest Bill (now 24) was named after you and has known all about you since he was old enough to point to your class picture on the living room wall.  Your baby sister Cathy has two boys but it took your older sister (by 13 months) Jane to give you a niece....You've missed so much and I think of that often and when I'm asked "How many children do you have" my answer is always "I have three daughters and had one son" and although there has always been so much controversy on the Vietnam war, I never hesitated to defend you and all the other young men who gave their young lives...But, I do add how many came home to their families because of you and the 101st Airborne Division (Eagle Dust Off) crew who picked up the wounded and brought them to safety, risking your own lives...You had such a zest for life Bill but I know you felt needed and that you were there for a reason....What you said in one of your letters has always stayed with me "Mom if anything happens to me, it wont be in vain"....Maybe not Bill, but I would rather have you here with me...with all of us...I have my moments still, that I need to cry and I do and you what?  That (along with our family) is what has kept me going and knowing that's what you would want of me....I will always love you Bill and Miss you...

Mom

Rita Malenfant-McCann
Bill Malefant's Mother

March 15, 2001

Wow!  This is really strange.  It has been so long but my thoughts are so near.  

I really miss you Bill and all the times we shared together.  It seems like only yesterday that we were riding together in my dad's old Caddy, going to Central to check out the action.  I'll never forget the first time I got my license and we were all together having a great time.  We had the radio on loud and just cruisin'.

I am sorry that I could not write to you sooner because I didn't know of this web site.  Larry and Steve made me aware of it a couple of weeks ago and I finally got on it.  I miss you buddy and someday we will be reunited in a great place above.  Larry, Steve and Terry are going to meet March 24th at Monti's to pay tribute to you and re-spark our friendship that was so near to all of us.

Again to you and your family, my heart will always be with you no matter what time in our lives.

Love you.

Heinz

February 28, 2001

Bill, I want to start this letter with an apology.  Until Steve Fresener and Larry Schwartz recently contacted me, I haven't allowed memories of high school to surface for more than twenty years.  I left high school and shortly after went into the Army for three years.  I lost contact with a lot of good friends.

When I got out of the service I was married, working and in college with little time for the present and none for the past.  I did however, in the mid 70's, find your name on a memorial plaque at the Phoenix Elks Lodge and on the Wall in DC.

I was luckier than you, certainly not smarter or more skilled.  I finished my year in Vietnam, married, graduated, found a good career, had children and now grandchildren.  These things you were denied because of your sacrifice in the war.

But just talking to Steve and Larry has once again brought out all those very good memories of a good friend who shared car magazines, cars, girls, an occasional beer or wine and lots of good times with his friends with humor, affection, a good heart and a great personality.  In your friends, your real friends, your life goes on and it is an eternally young life full of joy.

We miss you.

Terry Johnson
Class of 1965

February 25, 2001

I moved to Scottsdale in the summer of 1959 from a small town in Iowa.  That fall when school started and Supai wasn't finished, all the Supai kids were put on double sessions at Tonalea.  One of the first kids I met was Bill.  We found that we lived a block from each other and that we both liked building model cars.  We were friends from that moment on.

I have so many memories of Bill.  I think the times I remember best are from high school.  Going to the armory dances, working on Bill's Olds in his mom's back yard, cruising central with Heinz, Larry, Terry and Scott Jenings.  There was a whole gang of us from Arcadia and Coronado that hung together.  We had a lot in common, GIRLS, cars, GIRLS, dancing, GIRLS, beer, GIRLS, well you get the idea.  Bill was always in the middle of everything, making us laugh, and being Bill.

The last time I saw Bill was just before he shipped out.  He came out to Tempe to the recording studio my brother Scott, the Bortz brothers, Jack and Dan (also from Coronado) and I owned.  We sat and drank a few beers and talked about high school, the army and life.  When Bill was leaving he promised to come back.  I wish he could have kept that promise.

I will always remember Bill.  I have had few friends as good as Bill and like Larry, wish Bill was here now to have a beer with all of us.

God Bless you old friend.

Steve Fresener
Class of 1965

February 8, 2001

I got to this site by accident, some time ago.  I don’t know any other way to do this Bill, but I have to talk to you as if you are still here.  I knew you were gone, but I felt like I couldn’t breathe for a minute when I saw your name, and I almost lost it when I saw your picture and the music began to play.  We had known each other for so long, since we were little kids – babies in fact.  It has taken months for me to be able to write this.  I didn’t know exactly what to say or how to begin, but I have felt the need to do this.

On this site I also found Steve and Terry, after all these years.  Steve and I have gotten together several times, once with Heinz, and another meeting with Terry is planned.  When we get together your name is always in the conversation.  I can’t believe it’s now been over 30 years since you died in Vietnam.  It seems like such a short time ago when we were at the Armory dances and when you helped me rebuild my car.

I’m glad you came to see all of us before you shipped out in 1970.  My wife was a little bit upset when you and I went out for a beer but later she was glad because it was the last time I ever saw you.  Your Mom still comes to visit your sister each year, and Steve and I will be seeing her this time.

I remember that we laughed a lot.  I remember many good times.  I’m so sorry those things are gone forever.  I’m sorry that you didn’t get to have a wife and kids, that you won’t grow old and see your grandkids.  I’m sorry that your life was stopped when you were so young.  You will always have a place of honor in my memory.  Your friendship will always be with me. I will never forget you.

See ya Buddy.

Larry Schwartz
Arcadia High School Class of 1965

January 30, 2001

I never knew you Bill but I wish I could have been your friend.  Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.  You are what makes America the country it is.  Thank you for making the world a better place.

Tom Waite
Class of 1971

August 23, 2000

Paul Townsend
Class of 1982

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