Posted on Sep 3, 2015
Was this war hero a first sergeant on Vietnam rivers, rice paddies?
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Someone sent a link to the Killeen Daily Herald about this fellow, Homero Garza who lives in the vicinity of Fort Hood, Texas. His story did sound too good to be true at first. He claims that he was in the Korean War and then went on to Vietnam. That he had two Silver Star Medals, two Bronze Star Medals, both with a “V” for valor, and ARCOM with a “V”.
So we ordered his FOIA and it all turns out to be true. I’m sure there’s some embellishment in the story he told to the reporter, but he’s too much of a real bad ass for me to disagree with him. But here are the citations of his awards. It looks like 1968 was a tough year for First Sergeant Garza;
The medals speak for the themselves.
Two Silver Stars.
Two Bronze Stars, both with V device for valor.
One Legion of Merit.
One Army Commendation Medal, with V device.
All were awarded for actions by one man in the span of 12 months.
The place: Vietnam.
The man: Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Homer Garza
http://kdhnews.com/fort_hood_herald/vietnam/war-hero-was-first-sergeant-on-vietnam-rivers-rice-paddies/article_00504c4c-405e-11e5-9db7-d35560fbcb5d.html?mode=jqm
So we ordered his FOIA and it all turns out to be true. I’m sure there’s some embellishment in the story he told to the reporter, but he’s too much of a real bad ass for me to disagree with him. But here are the citations of his awards. It looks like 1968 was a tough year for First Sergeant Garza;
The medals speak for the themselves.
Two Silver Stars.
Two Bronze Stars, both with V device for valor.
One Legion of Merit.
One Army Commendation Medal, with V device.
All were awarded for actions by one man in the span of 12 months.
The place: Vietnam.
The man: Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Homer Garza
http://kdhnews.com/fort_hood_herald/vietnam/war-hero-was-first-sergeant-on-vietnam-rivers-rice-paddies/article_00504c4c-405e-11e5-9db7-d35560fbcb5d.html?mode=jqm
Heroes
Korean War
Vietnam War
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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CPT (Join to see)
Kieth, that was actually a response to another post.
For the 1SG, my response was, a soldier you'd like to know and to call friend. But I have to say, carpe diem works too. SGT (Join to see).
For the 1SG, my response was, a soldier you'd like to know and to call friend. But I have to say, carpe diem works too. SGT (Join to see).
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SGT (Join to see)
You bet Sir. I liked the part where he was asked if he wanted to be put in for a PH, and told the doc No, I already have one.
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CPT (Join to see)
A sign of a true hero, he had a sense of humor even in the face of danger. SGT (Join to see).
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SGT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see), You know you have to have a sense of humor, or you'll go nuts worrying about the unknown. Young troops can find a lot to laugh about when they need to.
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Very interesting time for me when I went in as the last major conflict was Vietnam. There where a few still serving and just about to retire. You could tell it in the bird pilots how they flew the lay of the land or approached a LZ. To me its a real shame that these stories are more or less taboo unlike the hero worship that followed WWII. This guy and a ton of others are indeed hero's -
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC David S., The entire Vietnam War was taboo. Nobody wanted to talk about it and nobody cared what a Vietnam vet had to say about it.
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I was a Petty Officer in the River Patrol with 915 days in Vietnam---Later on a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps. Reserve. I finished my time in the National guard because I had a difference of opinion with an officer---he thought he was the almighty---and I thought he was full of shit---I retired a 1str Sergeant in April 2000.
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1SG Patrick Sims
Thanks Keith---I didn't make it through the third combat tour---for me three times wasn't the charm.
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There were many more of these unheralded stories in Vietnam than those that made the TV or newspapers. I doubt if anyone who spent time in the field did not witness at least one crazy "John Wayne" scene. Not to diminish CSM Garzas actions, good on ya!
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SGT (Join to see)
Cpl Dennis F., Shhh! Don't you realize there are still those out there who don't give a hoot about the Vietnam war and its heroes? We're a taboo time in history that isn't taught or talked about, except by those of us who served in Nam. IMO
Welcome Home Brother, ya done good.
Welcome Home Brother, ya done good.
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SGT (Join to see)
Sgt David G Duchesneau, Funny thing about this is someone didn't believe him and contacted Stolen Valor who checked his records and there it was. All truthful. A real military combat soldier hero.
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
You got to love it! At least, this one was real! What about the next one? We all know that we have so many phonies out there. You, of all people know that one. Hell, you get those phony bastards all the time! And by the way Keith, you do a great job at getting them exposed . Thanks brother!
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SGT (Join to see)
Thanks David. I try to stay on top of it. One of our own members has a phony living across the street from her. I've contacted Stolen Valor. I sent for his information, and it came back. He was in the service but only a month. Lying bastard.
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