A note from The Virtual Wall
Martin Lechuga,
Corporal, United States Army,
was buried on 21 April 1969 in Plot W-1986,
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery,
San Antonio, Texas, among other men of courage and integrity.
Martin Lechuga was with a relative of mine, Gonzalo Villasenor, on 4/11/69. They were with the CRIP component of the 1/5 (Mech), seeking out the Viet Cong Infrastructure in Hua Nghia Province. They were ambushed from a fortified enemy position. Chalo Villasenor was firing the M-60, and Martin was feeding it. Martin and Chalo, due to the threat they posed the enemy, received a heavy volume of enemy fire. They courageously laid down a volume of suppresive fire, allowing other members of the CRIP element to overrun the ememy position, terminating any resistence.
Remembered by his comrades-in-arms of the
5th Infantry Regiment
Bobcats
Josefina Perez
Mother
You will never be Forgotten
Nov 13, 2010
Davy Baker
davybaker@suddenlink.net
Another Brother
Kilgore Tx.
Remembrance
Honoring a hero of the United States on his special day.I salute you ,and I thank you for your dedication,courage and service to our nation.You ,and those like you, have made this the great nation we love and defend. 'TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND,IS NEVER TO DIE.'~Robert Orr~May God bless and keep you and hold you in His loving arms.Rest in peace brave Soldier,YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!
Nov 3, 2008
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Apr 11, 2007
gregory rangel
admirer
4109 cummings dr
n richland hills, tx 76180
To Martin
Hello Martin, I think you were with my relative, Chalo Villasenor, when you guys were attacked. I want you to know that we are so proud of you guys! You will never be lost or forgotten, we will always remember you! I imagine it was pretty bad over there, but thank you for going anyway. You guys are real heroes, truly one of a kind. Thank you for being so brave and strong! I am proud to stand in the shadow of men like you! Thank you for everything!
Sunday, June 02, 2002
gregory rangel
pilottx1@yahoo.com
Chalo Villasenor's relative
4113 Cummings Dr.
N Richland Hills, TX 76180 USA
Thank You
Hi Martin, I heard from a guy in your squad. He said you went after Chalo, after he was hit. You went after him under fire, I am soo proud of you! Thank you for trying to get Chalo, Thank you soo much! My kids and I think that you are the best! Every time we go to San Antonio, we come to see you. We love you very much! Thank you for everything!
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Denis McDonough
Denis1146@aol.com
Fellow Bobcat
MARTIN LECHUGA DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam APO San Francisco 96375 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 2025 9 June 1969 AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. LECHUGA, MARTIN RA 15960755, SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, APO 96225 Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross Date of Action: 11 April 1969 Theater: Republic of Viet Nam Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Lechuga distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 April 1969 while serving as a rifleman with a platoon operating in Hau Nghia Province. His platoon was carrying out an intelligence mission when the lead man detected an enemy ambush in time to warn his comrades. A fire fight erupted, and the hostile forces were routed. Wishing to maintain contact with the fleeing enemy, the platoon pressed forward. On entering a wooded area, the friendly element came under an enfilade from automatic weapons, rifle grenades and mortars. On identifying the source of enemy fire to the left flank, Specialist Lechuga and a comrade began moving toward the emplacement. Just as they silenced the hostile position, they received heavy fire from another enemy fortification, which seriously wounded Specialist Lechuga's comrade. Realizing that eh hostile fusillade prevented his pulling the wounded man to safety, he placed himself in front of his comrade protecting him from receiving further wounds and began returning a hail of rifle fire. As a result of his attempt to save his fellow soldier's life, he was fatally wounded by enemy extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963. Document courtesy of Bruce Swander I just wanted you to know, you are not forgotten. You are loved and missed. My prayers to you and your family If anyone knows this brave soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Would you please contact Randy@Bobcat.WS so we can honor him by having his picture placed on his former unit the 1/5 Mech website memorial page and on the Wall.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
We Remember
Martin is buried at Ft Sam Houston Nat Cem,San Antonio,TX
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THIS MOST HEROIC UNITED STATES ARMY SERVICEMAN, A POSTHUMOUS RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MO
CORPORAL
MARTIN LECHUGA
who served with
HEADQUARTERS & HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
1st BATTALION
5th INFANTRY REGIMENT ( MECHANIZED )
25th INFANTRY DIVISION
" TROPIC LIGHTNING "
was a posthumous recipient of the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
PURPLE HEART
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL
and was entitled to wear the
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL
AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE
20 JULY 1999
See also the REMEMBRANCE for
SPECIALIST FOUR
GONZOLO H. VILLASENOR
a posthumous recipient of the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
was lost along with
CORPORAL
MARTIN LECHUGA
in this same action
Posted by: CLAY MARSTON
Email: CMARSTON@INTERLOG.COM
Relationship: BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHER - DSC
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Thank you Corporal Lechuga
Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Martin Lechuga, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!
Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Soldier, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!
Again, thank you Corporal Martin Lechuga, for a job well done!
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND
Posted by: Donald Lytle
Relationship: Radioman, USN, Ret
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Martin Lechuga and Gonzalo Villasenor
Martin was with a relative of mine, Gonzalo Villasenor on 4/11/1969. They were with the CRIP element of the 1/5(Mech), seeking out the Viet Cong Infrastructure in the Hua Nghia Province. They, along with their squad, were ambushed from a fortified enemy position. Gonzalo and Martin, who were manning the squad's M-60, laid down a heavy volume of fire toward the bunker complex. As they fired their weapon, other members of the squad were able to advance upon the bunker. Due to the threat they posed the enemy, Martin and Gonzalo also received heavy fire in return. Due to their courage, and sacrifice, other squad members were able to terminate the enemy in the bunker
Posted by: Gregory Rangel
Relationship: Friend
Friday, November 1, 2002
Cpl. Lechuga served with HH Company, 1st Battalion (Mech), 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. He began his tour on a Monday, 19 August 1968. He was killed on a Friday, 11 April 1969. He was 19 years of age.
He was with the CRIP element of the 1/5(Mech), seeking out the Viet Cong Infrastructure in the Hua Nghia Province when he was killed.
"On April 11, 1969, at 0320 hours, the Company B night perimeter, located 8 kilometers northwest of Trung Lap at XT 560280, was attacked by an estimated company size VC force. The enemy attack was suppressed by fire from organic weapons, artillery, helicopter and AC-47 Gunships. In a sweep that morning, the company policed up numerous dead enemy bodies, weapons and equipment. No Bobcats were injured in the contact. At 1310 hours, the CRIP element of the 1/5th(M) was operating southeast of Trung Lap when they engaged an estimated enemy platoon sized force at XT 600187. Artillery and Helicopter gunships were called in for support. Several enemy soldiers and two Bobcats were killed in the contact. "
Source: http://www.bobcat.ws/history1969.htm#Villasenor
Distinguished Service Cross
GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 2025
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 1. TC 320.
The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
LECHUGA, MARTIN SPECIALIST FOUR UNITED STATES ARMY HHC, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
Date action: 11 April 1969
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Lechuga distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 April 1969 while serving as a rifleman with a platoon operating in Hau Nghia Province. His platoon was carrying out an intelligence mission when the lead man detected an enemy ambush in time to warn his comrades. A fire fight erupted, and the hostile forces were routed. Wishing to maintain contact with the fleeing enemy, the platoon pressed forward. On entering a wooded area, the friendly element cam under an enfilade from automatic weapons, rifle grenades, and mortars. On identifying the source of enemy fire to the left flank, Specialist Lechuga and a comrade began moving toward the emplacement. Just as they silenced the enemy position, they received heavy fire from another enemy fortification, which seriously wounded Specialist Lechuga's comrade. Realizing that the hostile fusillade prevented his pulling the wounded man to safety, he placed himself in front of his comrade and began returning a hail of rifle fire. As a result of his attempt to save his fellow soldier's life, he was fatally wounded by enemy fire. Specialist Four Lechuga's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
Martin was interred in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, 21 April 1969 in Plot W-1986.
Notes/Links:
http://www.25thida.org/TLN/tln4-15.htm#v4n16p1a
http://www.25thida.org/TLN/tln4-16.htm#v4n16p1a (newsletter)
http://www.1-5th-m-25th-inf-1966.com/
http://www.25thida.com/
http://www.25thida.org/unitsinfantry.html#Brigades
Text: The Dynamics Of Defeat: The Vietnam War In Hau Nghia Province By Eric M. Bergerud, pp. 241 plus "Battle" The Tet Offensive 1969" chapter.
Notes: Was this in the Trang Bang and/or Cu Chi Districts of Hau Nghia Province?
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