Ismael Enriquez - Vietnam 1967

Ismael Enriquez Vietnam Veteran Story. Ismael Enriquez, Sgt. Marine Corps. In 1967, Ismael Enriquez, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), at the young age of 17. Having just graduated from high school, Enriquez was looking to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a member of the USMC. Requiring parental permission, he moved to California and successfully enlisted in the Marine Corps without his parent’s signature. He remembers his first experience when a friend dropped him off at the Physical Test Center. Never regretting his choice to enlist, Enriquez was quickly promoted to Sargent. Enriquez began his military service in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, as a member of the Artillery Unit; he was also a member of the Motor pool, and a truck driver. He was assigned to transport Artillery. Before joining the Artillery unit, Enriquez was responsible for sand bags, sand pits, helping the wounded and occasional “beer runs”. As part of the Artillery Unit, Enriquez was in charge of the Vietnam Prison area in Quang Tri Province. He secured and protected the Landing Zone (LZ), where Naval helicopters delivered artillery; he also served on Fire Missions. The LZ is where he experienced the most action during his enlistment. One of the most significant experiences occurred in 1968, Quang Tri Landing Zone According to Enriquez, The North Vietnamese soldiers could be seen coming over the hill. “This is where it actually hit me; this is where realization set in, we were all frightened.” After leaving the Landing Zone, he was assigned to become part of the coastal patrol along the Philippines, Taiwan, and Okinawa. Arriving home along with other soldiers at the Los Angeles Airport, Enriquez was welcomed with protestors Who spit and hurled water at them. Enriquez stated that he noted “a lot of anger towards them”. His thought was, “That’s how Uncle Sam receives us?” He continues, “the majority of the servicemen coming back from Vietnam were welcomed like this. It is way too late to actually thank them, as many are not here with us. That’s the thanks they gave us because we did what we were told.” The “coming home” experience turned Enriquez against the military for a short time, the airport experience made him angry, especially because he really wanted to make the military a career. The effects of the war caused issues that no one person should experience Enriquez states. It took Enriquez many months to overcome his struggles; it made him realize that moving on was dependent on each individual. He was very grateful he was no longer going to Viet Nam and that he served his time. Enriquez expresses that he never regrets his decision to serve his country and the Marines and would do it all over again. “Serving in the military is a good place to learn discipline”, this is what I would say to youngsters. I do believe that “every individual should be able to serve in the military; they should take advantage of the opportunity.” Enriquez’ perspective on the war is that everyone should appreciate the soldiers and what they do, “do not question them”. Soldiers should perform their duties without questions also. “Many times you wish you could dig a hole and live in it, but you can’t, you must move on. I speak for the Marines; this is my opinion.” Enriquez successfully served his country and the Marines from 1966 to 1971, to be exact, “four years, eight months, fifteen days; twenty two of those months in Vietnam.” Veteran Sgt. Ismael Enriquez lives in El Paso Texas and attended El Paso High School, EPCC, and Park University.