[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 141 (Thursday, October 31, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1967]]



                        HONORING JESUS E. GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 31, 2002

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of a very 
special veteran--Jesus E. Garcia who resides in Las Animas, Colorado. 
He served his country with great honor and courage.
  Jesus E. Garcia enlisted in the United States Army in July 26, 1961. 
He took his basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He then spent 
some time in Germany before being assigned to Ft. Benning. Once in 
Georgia, he became part of the newly formed First Cavalry Airmobile 
Division.
  Jesus was trained as an infantryman. In July 1965, his division was 
transferred to Vietnam. Jesus became a member of the First Cavalry 
Division, 3rd Brigade, 2/7 Battalion, A Company, Weapons Platoon. His 
Company was sent into the Ia Drang Valley on November 16, 1965, to 
assist with the Pleiku Campaign. A fierce battle lasting several days 
had been fought at the LZ Xray site. His company assisted with rescuing 
and wrapping up the battle, as well as the gruesome cleanup the 
following day. Most troops were flown out of LZ Xray. All of the 2/7th 
Battalion had to march to LZ Albany to be airlifted out. Jesus and his 
platoon were among those that marched. On November 17, 1965 the 
bloodiest battle of the Vietnam War was fought at LZ Albany. This 
intense fight cost the lives of over 200 Americans. Two days of brutal 
combat were then followed by two more days of an unforgettable cleanup 
and aftermath. The Americans had suffered heavy losses, but not as 
heavy as the North Vietnamese Army.
  In January of 1966, his Battalion was sent to participate in 
Operation Masher, part of the Bong Son I Campaign. Jesus was to leave 
by plane with his company to arrive at their destination for the 
battle. At the last minute, he was taken off the plane as he had been 
chosen to temporarily fill in as the forward observer with another 
company. Jesus was requested for this assignment due to his expertise. 
Therefore, his commanding officer gave him the option of accepting this 
assignment as it was much more risky than his original orders for this 
battle. He chose to take the temporary assignment. He was taken off the 
plane and marched with this company through the jungle to their 
designated position. Upon his arrival, he learned the plane he was 
scheduled to ride in had crashed, and everyone on board was killed.
  On January 29, 1977, during the battle of Bon Son I, Jesus Garcia's A 
Company was trying to route the NVA from a fortified trench around a 
small village. About 100 yards of open rice paddy separated the two 
lines. It was pouring rain. Repeated attempts to attack and take the 
position under sniper and machine gun fire had already cost several 
lives. As the A Company forward observer, Jesus was ahead of his fellow 
soldiers as they made another attempt to breach the enemy 
fortifications. As he advanced, he was shot in the leg; he suffered 
from a jagged hole in his leg and thigh. Medics were able to retrieve 
him and drag him back for protection. It was the next day before 
medical evacuation helicopters were able to retrieve him. His injury 
was severe and the doctors feared he might not ever walk again. After 
recovering from his injury in hospitals in Japan and Fitzsimons Army 
Hospital in Aurora, amazingly, he returned to active duty at Ft. 
Benning, Georgia in July 1966.
  In May 1968, Jesus returned to duty in Vietnam with the 44th Medical 
Brigade in headquarters Company. He worked in the message center 
brigade headquarters. He served in this capacity until May 1969, when 
he returned to the United States to an assignment at Fitzsimons Army 
Hospital where he remained until 1972, as the Chief Clerk for a medical 
holding company. In 1972, he was again sent overseas to Germany to work 
in the Brigade Classified Section of the Headquarters Company at 
Stuttgart. He left Germany in 1974 and returned back to duty at 
Fitzsimons. In 1977, again he went overseas to serve in Korea. He was 
stationed in Taegue in the headquarters mailroom for one year. He 
returned stateside in 1978 to Ft. Carson, Colorado. He was commander of 
the Ft. Carson Mounted Color Guard until his retirement in December 
1981, in which he received five honorable discharges.
  During his military career he received the following awards and 
decoration: Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star; (5) 
Good Conduct Medals, (2) Presidential Unit Citations, National Defense 
Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, (2) Overseas 
Service Ribbons; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with 60 Device, 
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Air Medal, and Expert Rifleman Badge.
  Two books have been written that deal specifically with the cavalry 
groups Jesus served with and the battles they fought. ``Baptism'' by 
Larry Gwinn details the author's year in Vietnam. Gwin was Garcia's 
Executive Officer. The second book is entitled ``We Were Soldiers Once 
and Young'' and was written by Lt. Gen. Harold Moore and Joseph 
Galloway. The book is a very graphical and detailed account of LZ Xray 
and LZ Albany battles and is the basis for a motion picture starring 
Mel Gibson and Sam Elliott.
  Jesus is a life-long resident of Las Animas, Colorado where he still 
lives with his wife Irene, of 41 years. Together they raised three 
sons. While providing for his family through his military career, he 
sacrificed a lot for his country--something he doesn't regret. He gave 
up his own youth, time with his family and friends, and some peace of 
mind.
  I am proud to honor such a courageous American, husband, and father.

                          ____________________