Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

ann bennett, grovetown, ga — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:30:07 GMT

When we read something like this, how can Americans have a negative attitude about Iraq? Such bravery and adrenalin...during our age, that is what you did, respected your president, your country, love of freedom, honor, prayers, flags, unity, respect for others, and the God given right to protect ourselves. Had it not been for 9/11, we would not be in this situation...a bunch of so called "religious" men who will go to purgatory for what they did, thinking that they would receive rewards in heaven. God is love, not hate. Thank you Captain Vargas for all you have done for your country.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:16:06 GMT

Captain Jay R. Vargas, one really resilient and brave soldier. He withstood quite an ordeal between the hand to hand combat and helping his fellow soldiers. I liked his statement to his son about the President asking him to the White House for a sandwich. We salute his service to our country.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Sue Ellen, Chicago, Illinois — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:54:25 GMT

Thank you Captain Vargas, I salute your fortitude and leadership abilities. I am grateful to learn of your heroic selfless reactions that I am sure you have since performed in countless ways in your everyday life, just not with the NVA and mortars breathing down your neck!
Thank you Brian Williams for the focus on these wonderful and yet everyday Americans.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Roger Darden, East Lansing, Michigan — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 01:31:33 GMT

For me and the other Marines of 2/4 who were there, it's simply known as "Dai Do." In three days and nights fighting thousands of NVA trying to attack the 3MARDIV headquarters at Dong Ha, I think we lost 81 KIA and 390 wounded. On the third night, there were only about 75 of us left out there in a small defensive perimeter when we were hit with a heavy motar attack that wounded 30. I was the last Marine on the last medivac chopper out of Dai Do. It wasn't until 30 years later I learned that Lt. Col. Bill Weise, our battalion CO, had survived his Day 2 wounds, and that Capt. Jay Vargas and Capt. Jim Livingston had been awarded Medals of Honor. (I've heard that a third MOH was awarded to a medivac pilot for heroism in that same battle.) They and every other Marine at the little-known Dai Do battle earned all the recognition they got by the courage and tenacity they showed there. I hope somebody does a documentary on Dai Do someday. Thanks to NBC for doing this series. Semper Fi.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Andy Nagy, Tampa, Florida — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:02:46 GMT

i have personaly meet Jay a few times and he is just like the story says a super person, a great guy.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Richard M. Salter Mt. Dora, Fl and Maggie Valley N.C. — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:06:35 GMT

Iknew Junior vargas in Arizona. I was from Flagstaff,he from Winslow. Rivals!!!!!!!!!! He struck me out in an all star little league game. The S.O.B. It dosen't surprise me that he did what he did. I think all of us from that part of the country are dammed proud of him(regardless if he came from Winslow or not) Gracias, Junior

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Richard M. Salter Mt. Dora, Fl and Maggie Valley N.C. — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:07:41 GMT

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Lother T. DeBerry, Former Sergeant, USMC, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:42:29 GMT

I was in the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines during Dai Do, but I just arrived in country. I was in Btn. S-1 and once Captain Vargas entered and began chatting with a friend of mine; another Corporal there. When he left, I asked the Corporal who he was, and the response was, "Oh, that was Captain Vargas." I feel so ashamed for not knowing and not calling every Mrine to attention upon this fine, wonderful Marine Officer's first entry into our field office. That still bothers me till this day. BTW, his wounds were a lot worse than one can imagine. I think that he will limp forever whenever he walks. Two Reinforced Regiments of well equipt NVA were turned back from Dai Do and that kept them from over-running the 3rd Mar Div Headquarters in Dong Ha. All we got out of it was a Navy Unit Citation. That's because the Commanding General in Dong Ha never really knew what had happened. Thanks to great Marines like Captain Vargas, Captain Livingston, LtCol Weise, and all of them . . . Many of them paid the ultimate price! God Bless the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd to None, The Magnificent Bastards in Vietnam!!

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Archie Haase Campos Dos Goytacacez Brazil — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:00:55 GMT

The unknown part of a soldiers war is war within a soldiers/marines heart long after the last shot is fired. Memories of lost youth and living in a nation that has little idea of what goes on in war other then the verbs. Americans learn about war between 1 minute news about Britney Spears and 30 second discussion of hemorrhoid relief.

I knew superficially knew Vargas when he was stationed in Hawaii. I was in 2nd Bn. 4th Marines at Con Thein in Vietnam before he arrived I was wounded and sent back to the states. Those not killed or wounded were either killed or wounded at Dai do. 2nd Bn won 4 Congressional Medals of Honors in six months.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Kaycee H., soldier's wife - NY — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:53:47 GMT

Reading this story about our nation's TRUE heroes, such as CPT VARGAS, makes me ashamed to have a President who feels compelled to constantly apologize for our nation's commitment to (and sacrifices for) freedom. Not to mention our willingness to lay down our lives for those who cannot fight off evil themselves. God Bless CPT Vargas. I've heard through the grapevine that he is battling cancer?

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

rome,new york — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:52:47 GMT

capt Jay Vargas is probably one of the best people i ever did a report on. he cared about the nation by doing whats right and having self-control.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

John Baltierra, Firebaugh, CA — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:29:12 GMT

I was assigned to 3/9 when it was attached to 7th Marines at Pendleton. Col. Vargas was our Regimental CO he was a big football fan, I played nose guard for our team, when ever I walked by HQ he would holler out the window "Get up here you big wuss" and I would go up there and we would talk about football for awhile. He was a great CO, who could inspire his men. I felt proud to serve under him

Former SSGT John Baltierra

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Linda, Phoenix, Arizona — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:13:52 GMT

Junior Vargas was a very popular kid in high school. But his mother is or should be a story in herself. A unique and brave person in her own right. Junior was her pride and joy being the youngest.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Alex Voog — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:46:09 GMT

The Battle at Dai Do and vicinity, is detailed at great length in an incredible account of the bravery and sacrifice made by our soldiers (HEROES ALL). The book, = The Magnificent Bastards: The Joint Army-Marine Defense of Dong Ha 1968 =, by the late author, Keith W. Nolan (whose detailed accounts and efforts at accuracy I shall miss greatly), is available in reprint (or maybe a local library). I own all of his books, and this is a true homage to those that give us so much.

Medal of Honor: Jay R. Vargas

Melvin Taylor Austin Texas — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:47:21 GMT

I was in 3/7 from 1984-thru 1986. Colonel Vargas was my Regimental Commander. I was proud to be under his command not only because he was a monority officer (and there were very few)but because he was a real Marine. I wish him the best!