lest we forget

MENDIAS, MARIO JUAN

Rank / Branch:

  • SPECIALIST FOURTH CLASS, U.S. ARMY

Date Of Birth:

  • 1948-01-10

Country Of Loss:

  • SOUTH VIETNAM

Status:

  • HOSTILE, MULTIPLE FRAGMENT WOUNDS

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground:​

  • GROUND

Other:

  • NOT MARRIED

Unit:

  • FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION

Date Of Loss:

  • 1969-03-02

Loss Coordinates:

  • BINH DUONG

Catagory:

  • BODY RETURNED

Awards & Decorations:

  • SEE BIO

VETERAN HAGI0GRAPHY

  • MENDIAS, MARIO JUAN, SPECIALIST FOUR, U. S. ARMY, MARFA, PRESIDIO COUNTY, TEXAS

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • COMBAT INFANTRYMANS BADGE, BRONZE STAR WITH V DEVICE, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM MILITARY MERIT MEDAL, VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL

BIOGRAPHY

  • Mario was born and raised in Marfa, Texas. He was the oldest son of Maria Jesus Gonzales and Juan Jesus Mendias. He was 1966 graduate of Marfa High School, Marfa, Texas. He was a life time resident. He was in his junior year at Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas, when he decided to volunteer for the draft. He had played in the Marfa High School Band in high school, also played the guitar and enjoyed riding horses.
  • He was trained as an infantryman and started his tour in Vietnam in January 1969. He was in his second month in Vietnam when he was killed by multiple fragmentation wounds. He was serving as the point man on a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Lai Khe when he sighted a well-fortified enemy position, simultaneously warning his comrades. With complete disregard for his own safety, he braved hostile fire as he neutralized one enemy position with automatic rifle fire while standing in the aggressors' killing zone. Undaunted by the enemy fire, he threw hand grenades to mark the position further. He was mortally wounded by an enemy RPG when he attempted to move to a more secure position. He was awarded a posthumous Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.
  • He was buried with full military honors in the Catholic Cemetery in Marfa, Texas. He was survived by his parents and his brothers, Juan Jesus, Jr and Rogelio Antonio Mendias of the home.
  • MARFA HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 66
  • SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY 1967
  • AIT FORT ORD, CALIFORNIA 1968
  • Catholic Cemetery, Marfa, Texas