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

Jesus Roberto Vasquez - 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 live to protect his fellow Marines.

Area: Central / Clardy Fox

Source: Vasquez Family

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

Jesus Roberto Vasquez - 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: Central / Clardy Fox

Source: Vasquez Family

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

Jesus Roberto Vasquez - Marine - 1965

Jesus Roberto Vasquez's Platoon in training camp - 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

Jesus Roberto Vasquez - 1965

Jesus Roberto Vasquez - 1965 in Vietnam. Jesus Roberto Vasquez is to the right of this image. 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" (un-serviceable 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

Jesus Roberto Vasquez - Jefferson High School - 1965

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 live to protect his fellow Marines.

Area: Central / Clardy Fox

Source: Vasquez Family

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

Marine Sgt. Jesus Roberto Vasquez - 1959

Jesus Roberto during his younger years before attending Jefferson High School. He enlisted in the Marines after graduating in 1965 and completed his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California. On Sunday, September 15, 2010, State Representative District 78 Joseph E. Moody in a Resolution Tribute said "WHEREAS, An explosive ordnance disposal technician, Sergeant Vasquez was assigned to the Ammunition Company, Supply Battalion, First Force Service Regiment/Force Logistic Command at Khe Sanh Combat Base; during an attack on the base that ignited part of its ammunition supply, he picked up a burning mortar shell and tried to throw it out of harm's way; though he died in the attempt, he saved the lives of many fellow soldiers in his platoon; for his selfless courage, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, three campaign medals, and two arm patches. WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have men and women whose love of country leads them to military service, and time can never diminish the profound debt that Americans owe to Jesus Vasquez for the challenge he undertook and the sacrifice he rendered; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That tribute be paid to the life of U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jesus Roberto Vasquez."

Area: Central / San Juan

Source: Vasquez Family

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History