Steve Mason (1940 in Brooklyn, New York – May 25, 2005) was a decorated United States Army captain, combat veteran of the Vietnam War, critically acclaimed poet and the Poet Laureate of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Poetry Mason's poem "The Wall Within" was read at the 1984 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and has the distinction of being the only American work of poetry on display at the war memorial in Hanoi. The author of four books, his poetry related to his experiences as a captain in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His work was hailed by veterans and their families nationwide. Diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during the war, he became a participant and active advocate for the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, and spoke at the California State Assembly for a similar law proposed in that state. He died at his home in Ashland, Oregon, at the age of 65. He is survived by four children. Mason once said, "The truth is, that the only message I`ve taken from war, is peace.`` Bibliography The Moths & Violets of Vito & Me: The Story of a Poem Johnny's Song: Poetry of a Vietnam Veteran Warrior for Peace The Human Being: A Warrior's Journey Toward Peace and Mutual Healing References External links Washington Post article on death The Wall Within, the signature poem of Steve Mason, which he delivered at the dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial Class Page for the U.S. Army Signal Corps OCS class that Steve Mason graduated from. Shows close friends and fellow graduates of Steve as he trained to become an Army Signal Corps Second Lieutenant. Class picture on this page shows Steve as an OCS Candidate. 1940 births 2005 deaths Deaths from lung cancer Poets from Oregon United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War United States Army officers Writers from Ashland, Oregon Deaths from cancer in Oregon 20th-century American poets Military personnel from Oregon