lest we forget

BOTELLO, JUAN JOSE

Rank / Branch:

  • PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, U.S. MARINE CORP

Date Of Birth:

  • 1946-11-13

Country Of Loss:

  • SOUTH VIETNAM

Status:

  • HOSTILE, OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground:​

  • GROUND

Other:

  • NOT MARRIED

Unit:

  • 3RD MARINE DIVISION

Date Of Loss:

  • 1967-07-14

Loss Coordinates:

  • QUANG TRI

Catagory:

  • BODY RETURNED

Awards & Decorations:

  • SEE BIO

VETERAN HAGI0GRAPHY

  • JUAN JOSE BOTELLO, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, U. S. MARINE CORP. O'DONNELL, DAWSON COUNTY, TEXAS

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • BRONZE STAR WITH V DEVICE, PURPLE HEART, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLARY WITH PALM, MARINE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON

BIOGRAPHY

  • Juan was born in Laredo, Webb County, Texas. He was the fourth child of five born to Angelina Garcia and Gonzalo Botello, Sr. The extended family moved to O'Donnell in 1948 and Mr. Botello was employed at a cotton gin. Juan was known as Johnny and he was raised in the small rural community north of Lamesa. Juan attended O'Donnell schools from the first until graduation in May 1965. While at O'Donnell High School, he was very popular and was prominent in the high school band with his trumpet playing ability. According to his cousin, Joanne Barrera of Lamesa, and a former classmate, " I grew up with Johnny and we were in the same class. We lived next door, and he was mild mannered, easy going, and kindhearted. He wanted to be a Marine."
  • After high school, Johnny moved to Lubbock and he worked for Gibson's Discount Centers hoping to save his money and enroll at Texas Tech at a later date. In November 1966, he enlisted in the Marine Corp. He completed his boot camp at the San Diego Recruit Training Depot and ITR at Camp Pendleton, California. He received additional advanced training in larger assault weapons. He came home on leave in March 1967 and then started his tour in Vietnam in April 1967 and was assigned to Weapons Plat (81S), Headquarters and Amphibious Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
  • In his last letter written to his parents, he stated his buddy had been killed and they were headed on a dangerous mission. He was killed on July 14, 1967 by a booby trap while on patrol. He had been awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device for a previous action.
  • He was buried with full military honors in the Peaceful Garden's Memorial Park Cemetery near Lubbock, Texas. He was survived by his older sister, Mirta of Lubbock, his older brother, Gonzalo Jr who was attending Texas Tech and was in his junior year and his younger brother, George of the parent's home in O'Donnell.
  • O'Donnell High School, Class of 1965
  • ITR, CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA
  • MISSON BURIAL PARK SOUTH, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS