AW3 Michael Duwayne "Ping-Pong" Ampong HSL-33  SH-2F BUNO: 161649 6/21/61-01/21/85 Hometown: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Laureen (Ampong) Kodani, sister
My brother is the 6th of 7 children (I am the youngest) and he comes from a long line of military personnel which continues into the next generation today. He is one of my biggest heroes!! He was extremely strong physically, mentally, and intellectually. My older siblings nicknamed him “Encyclopedia Brown” when we were little because his brain was exactly that, an encyclopedia. When he tried teaching me about the solar system at age 5, he was 6, I didn’t pay much attention because I was more interested in my dolls and coloring books. He took me up to the roof of our house to show me constellations through a telescope and I cherish those memories along with many other special memories every day. He would often climb to the top of a tree, stick his head out and holler at those of us below who could not make it to the top. He outran most everyone in town and playing tag with him always meant he would get you. Here’s a little piece of trivia about my brother, he never had a cavity in his life! There are so many more stories about his childhood that would explain why he chose the military as an adult.

Juanita (Missy) Ampong, sister My brother Mike was the sweetest baby brother anyone could have. He and I were really close and always teamed up as partners in crime against our rivalries...Foster and Laureen, our siblings. I will always remember when Mike and I used to go diving and I would be holding on to his feet because I was afraid an eel or some kind of creature would come straight for us. He never got angry that I would be holding his feet instead he just protected me. Of course when it was time to spear a fish I had to let go and hoping he would hurry and get that fish. We had so much fun diving,swimming,bodysurfing,and just hanging out on the sand talking story. There are so much memories I have of my Braddah Mike that I will treasure always and forever! I clearly remember the day when my father came home to tell us the sad news of his accident. In fact, Nani(hanai sister) and I went to the beach that morning and I was telling her she have to meet my brother when he comes home because he was such a coocoonut like J.J Walker on Good Times. I talked about him all morning and only to come home to have Dad tell us he was gone. I never believed my Dad and I started yelling and crying hitting him and calling him a liar. My whole day was shot and I was left in a daze. I just want to say, "Braddah Mike I love and miss you soooo much and you are ALWAYS on my mind and in my heart FOREVER......"

AW1 Gordon Permann:
I must add this -- in my life, I believe the finest, nicest man I have ever met was Michael Ampong. He would loan you his last dollar, and give you his shirt. He was a warm, happy person and in every respect, deserving of admiration. A Hawaiian native with a heart of gold, I miss him deeply. His helicopter, Seasnake One One, crashed into the sea alongside USS Reid.

His best friend, Boomer Boomenglag, made a desperate attempt to save him, but his seat failed, sending Ping-Pong to the ocean bottom. The pilot, CDR Carlson, also died. He was sighted by the Rescue Motor-whaleboat, but they assumed he was dead and they left him floating while they searched for LT Paul and Boomer. By the time they recovered Carlson, he had drowned. Lt Paul had his throat slit, but Boomer managed to hold the gaping cut closed until they could be rescued. Boomer lost teeth and broke his arm, and never really recovered from letting his friend die...
The rest of us that flew in the back of these helicopters wasted no time in throwing those untrustworthy seats over the side of the ship. Danny and I carried the seat from our helo right to the deck edge, and tossed it into the sea, right in front of everyone. No one said a word about us destroying Government Property.

Scott Fitzpatrick:
I went through HSL-31 with Mike Ampong, in fact, he was in my class. Mike was one of those guys that was always smiling and was probably the most squared away sailor that I've ever met, and his appearance was always "recruiting poster" perfect. He was pretty close buddies with Mike "Boomer" Bumanglag and were in the aircraft together when it crashed. The co-pilot was also lost in this mishap.