Sgt. Jesus R. Vasquez - Vietnam - 1965

Jesus Roberto Vasquez went to San Juan Elementary School (now Hawkins Elementary School) from 1953 to 1959, as well as all his three brothers (Ricardo Emilio, Agustin and Juan Francisco) and two sisters Beatriz Maria and Maria Ofelia); then on to Henderson Jr. High School and Thomas Jefferson High School where he graduated in May 25, 1965. During his four years at Jefferson High School he participated in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) where he became a second lieutenant and member of the rifle, drill, and baseball teams; he enlisted in the Marines after graduating in 1965 and completed his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California. On January 30th, 1968) while serving at the Khe Sanh Combat Base Vietnam Jesus exhibited the type of character and devotion to duty that I knew he had. After an enemy mortar or rocket round struck the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) Jesus and the other EOD team members went into the ASP to try to extinguish the fire. As he entered the "grade three" (unserviceable ammunition) area he saw an 81mm mortar round with the high explosive main charge burning. Being an EOD technician he knew the dangers of burning explosives and the explosive effects of a high explosive (HE) 81mm mortar round. Even with this knowledge when he saw the mortar round he grabbed the burning round and attempted to remove the danger from the immediate area. As he was exiting the grade three area the mortar round detonated and fatally wounded Jesus. By his actions he prevented his fellow Marines from being injured and/or killed. It is possible that his actions also prevented the ASP from being lost. He gave his life to protect his fellow Marines.

Area: Out of Area / Out of Area

Source: Vasquez Family

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History