Who wrote the poem "Soldier's Prayer"?

The poem "Soldier's Prayer" was previously believed to be written by an unknown author until the Rasky's Vietnam Memorial organization learned that the poem was written by Michael E. Schafernocker. The author was a door gunner and crew chief with the U.S. Navy Seawolves.

The poem was written before Schafernocker died when the chopper he was in was shot down over Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Schafernocker and his co-pilot died April 28, 1969. The poem was believed to be found on his body and was discovered eight months after his death when he was recovered from a burial plot in Cambodia.