I knew all of the persons, from Molina, who who gave their lives in Vietnam, but for Julius Greathouse, the reason being that we were a segregated school district. There were whites, Mexican-Americans, and Afro-Americans. We all went to different schools.
The three persons above were my friends, we were the same age and went through school together. Jose Ortiz (Photo Below) was a year behind but he was in the band the same time that I was. He used to deliver the newspaper and lived a block from our house.
Pfc Jose Salazar was one of several men wounded by booby traps while on patrol near Ky Lam hamlet, about 5 kilometers east of the Liberty Bridge across the Thu Bon River. As far as is known, he is the only one to have died from his injuries.
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation for Valor Award
PFC Jose Manuel Trejo was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V), for his sustained heroism and meritorious service. He served as a Rifleman and was assigned to B CO, 1ST BN, 1ST MARINES, 1ST MARDIV.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Jose A. Ortiz (MCSN: 2466149), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 August 1969, Lance Corporal Ortiz’s platoon was searching a village in Quang Nam Province. Looking inside a house, Lance Corporal Ortiz alertly observed a North Vietnamese Army utility shirt caught in a trap door and, informing his men of his discovery, led his fire team into the house. Quietly moving up to the trap door, he suddenly kicked it open. As he did so, a burst of hostile automatic weapon fire was directed at him and two hand grenades were thrown out. Reacting instantly, Lance Corporal Ortiz shouted a warning to his men and pushed the three of them out of the house, placing himself between them and the grenades in the few seconds before the explosion. Lance Corporal Ortiz was mortally wounded by grenade fragments, however, his three men, who received lesser wounds because of his valiant act, survived. Exiting a few minutes later, the North Vietnamese soldiers he had discovered were killed by the Marines. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of three men. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Ortiz upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Alfredo graduated from West Oso High School, where he was member of the high school band and was a Caller-Times newspaper carrier in the Molina Addision area for several years.
Alfredo enlisted in the Marines 12 August 1965, at a recruiting office in San Antonio, Texas.
Alfredo arrived in Vietnam sometime during January 1966 and was assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He died as of a gunshot wound penetrating his upper left chest from hostile rifle fire while on a combat patrol in the vicinity of Da Nang and 3 kilometers northeast of Dien Bau Village.
ISRAEL ESPARZA
SGT – E5 – Army – Regular
4th Infantry Division
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on July 4, 1968
Casualty was on August 16, 1969
In SOUTH VIETNAM
JULIUS GREATHOUSE JR
SSGT – E6 – Army – Regular
1st Cav Division (AMBL)
Length of service 6 years
His tour began on July 31, 1966
Casualty was on December 17, 1966
In SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
JESUS MORENO JR.
SP4 – E4 – Army –Regular
173rd Airborne Brigade
His tour began on January 21, 1970
Casualty was on September 6, 1970
In BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
The Molina Eight
