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<span class=prefix>CPL</span> Frank James “Frankie” Montez

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CPL Frank James “Frankie” Montez Veteran

Birth
Salinas, Monterey County, California, USA
Death
20 Sep 1969 (aged 19)
Tam Kỳ, Thành phố Tam Kỳ, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Burial
San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA Add to Map
Plot
T, 1241
Memorial ID
View Source
In Loving Memory of ..... Corp. Frank James Montez.

You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!


Frank James Montez - Corporal
Marine Corps - CPL - E4
Age: 19
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jan 18, 1950
From: SALINAS, CA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, L..acio Ruiz of Gonzales, CA. and Mother, Lucille Montoya Montez, Born May 15, 1923 in Colorado and Died July 3, 1950 in Monterey, California. Sister, Dianne Montez of San Martin, CA. Brother. Aunt, Clara Montez.

***** Hi, Frankie. Thought about you all day and told lots of people all about you. Remember when we sat in the walnut tree and you were eating peanut butter out of a jar with a spoon? LOL. Luvya, Cuz. We miss you.♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Sheila
May. 30, 2017

** - ** "California, Birth Index, 1905-1995"
Name: Frankie James Montez
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 18 Jan 1950
Event Place: Monterey, California, United States
Gender: Male
Mother's Name: Montez

***** Frankie~I took your little cousin, Dallas, to see your name on the Vietnam Memorial today. We decorated your panel with roses, ribbons, a little flag and a note. It looked really pretty against the black. Luvya, Big Cuz!!!! Sheila
- tygrlily
Added: May. 27, 2013

***** Hey, Frankie, it's your little cuz, Sheila. Thought about you today and I found you here. Funny, you used to be the big cuz and I was the pesky little one. Now I'm all grown up and you'll be a handsome 19 forever. A forever teenager, Frankie. Everytime I eat peanut butter I think of you. Wish you were still here. You would have been an awesome dad and grandpa. Luv you, Big Cuz!!!!!!!
- tygrlily
Added: Dec. 28, 2012

***** Sandy Giron Hegwod
Cousin raised together by Gram Clar
Dacono CO 80514

***** To all my Recon brothers, this is Frank Montez. He spent 19 months in Nam, killed with seventeen days left. My hero and a great team leader for Alpha Company. Was awarded the Silver Star for his valor on September 20, 1969 I live with his memory every day.
Let us not forget the heroes that made our life continue. Semper Fi Brothers
Larry Huffman

***** Ted Godlove - same recon team - I was beside Frank when he was killed. He pulled me to the ground as the pickup helo arrived. The gun fire came from our own heloicopter. Frank was a very good friend and I think of him often. He upheld the highest standards of being a man and a friend.


CPL - E4 - Marine Corps - Regular
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jan 30, 1968
Casualty was on Sep 20, 1969
In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
MILITARY DATA
Service: Marine Corps (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Corporal
ID No: 549788812
MOS: 0311 Rifleman
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: A CO, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Tuesday, 01/30/1968
Cas Date: Saturday, 09/20/1969
Age at Loss: 19
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Nam, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 18W Line 117

Body was recovered
Panel 18W - Line 117


The 1st Recon Battalion Command Chronology for September 1969 contains the orders for and post-patrol report from A Company's "PARALLEL BARS" team. The patrol was to be inserted on 19 September and extracted three days later on the 22nd. The schedule slipped a day and PARALLEL BARS, consisting of eight men, was inserted at noon on 20 Sep 1969.

At 1630 the patrol smelled cooking and heard voices and the sounds of domestic fowl from a knoll. The team leader, Corporal Frank Montez, and three men moved toward the noise while the other members began to encircle the knoll.

Montez' group was fired upon by a single NVA/VC and returned fire, killing the enemy soldier. Two other NVA/VC then recovered the dead soldier and withdrew. The other group saw several enemy soldiers approaching from the south and took them under fire. Noticing other enemy troops to the east, PARALLEL BARS regrouped and started moving out. However, they took fire from the intended direction of movement and on the advice of an aerial observer reversed direction.

By this time it was apparent they were surrounded and the team went into a 360-degree defense while calling for extraction.

The aerial observer took the enemy under fire with rockets, but shrapnel also hit two team members. The extraction helo added to the close-in fighting with its machine guns before successfully extracting the team at 2030H.

Corporal Montez had been killed in the action and three others wounded - Hospital Corpsman Viento twice (once by enemy and once by friendly fire), Pfc Head and Pfc Goldmeyer once each.

HM3 Viento and Pfc Head recovered from their injuries, but Pfc Charles Goldmeyer died five days later.


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Silver Star Citation -


Frank James Montez
Date of birth: January 18, 1950
Date of death: September 20, 1969
Home of record: Salinas California
Status: KIA AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Frank James Montez (MCSN: 2375978), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Patrol Leader with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While Corporal Montez was conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Quang Nam Province on the evening of 20 September 1969, the point man detected signs of North Vietnamese Army soldiers in the area. Quickly establishing his men in defensive positions and requesting an aerial observer, Corporal Montez led three of his Marines in a search of the vicinity and encountered a bunker containing two hostile soldiers. The enemy immediately fired at the small Marine patrol. Instantly returning the fire, Corporal Montez killed one of the men then, throwing hand grenades, forced the other to retreat. With the arrival of the aerial observer, he skillfully withdrew the team to covered positions and directed fire on suspected North Vietnamese Army emplacements. While the aerial observer was making his firing runs, the Marines came under intense fire from hostile soldiers occupying another bunker and Corporal Montez fearlessly moved across the dangerous terrain to direct the fire of his men and silence the enemy fire. Directed by the aerial observer to proceed to a landing zone for extraction, Corporal Montez continually exposed himself to pursuing hostile fire as he assisted a companion who had been wounded during the brief engagement. After arriving at the landing zone, he ignored the North Vietnamese Army rounds impacting around him to examine the casualties and distribute ammunition to his men. When an extraction aircraft commenced an approach into the site, Corporal Montez boldly stood in full view of the enemy soldiers to guide the pilot with a strobe light, and, while thus dangerously exposed, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Montez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Action Date: September 20, 1969
Service: Marine Corps Rank: Corporal Company:
Company A Battalion: 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF


********************************
.
In Loving Memory of ..... Corp. Frank James Montez.

You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!


Frank James Montez - Corporal
Marine Corps - CPL - E4
Age: 19
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jan 18, 1950
From: SALINAS, CA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, L..acio Ruiz of Gonzales, CA. and Mother, Lucille Montoya Montez, Born May 15, 1923 in Colorado and Died July 3, 1950 in Monterey, California. Sister, Dianne Montez of San Martin, CA. Brother. Aunt, Clara Montez.

***** Hi, Frankie. Thought about you all day and told lots of people all about you. Remember when we sat in the walnut tree and you were eating peanut butter out of a jar with a spoon? LOL. Luvya, Cuz. We miss you.♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Sheila
May. 30, 2017

** - ** "California, Birth Index, 1905-1995"
Name: Frankie James Montez
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 18 Jan 1950
Event Place: Monterey, California, United States
Gender: Male
Mother's Name: Montez

***** Frankie~I took your little cousin, Dallas, to see your name on the Vietnam Memorial today. We decorated your panel with roses, ribbons, a little flag and a note. It looked really pretty against the black. Luvya, Big Cuz!!!! Sheila
- tygrlily
Added: May. 27, 2013

***** Hey, Frankie, it's your little cuz, Sheila. Thought about you today and I found you here. Funny, you used to be the big cuz and I was the pesky little one. Now I'm all grown up and you'll be a handsome 19 forever. A forever teenager, Frankie. Everytime I eat peanut butter I think of you. Wish you were still here. You would have been an awesome dad and grandpa. Luv you, Big Cuz!!!!!!!
- tygrlily
Added: Dec. 28, 2012

***** Sandy Giron Hegwod
Cousin raised together by Gram Clar
Dacono CO 80514

***** To all my Recon brothers, this is Frank Montez. He spent 19 months in Nam, killed with seventeen days left. My hero and a great team leader for Alpha Company. Was awarded the Silver Star for his valor on September 20, 1969 I live with his memory every day.
Let us not forget the heroes that made our life continue. Semper Fi Brothers
Larry Huffman

***** Ted Godlove - same recon team - I was beside Frank when he was killed. He pulled me to the ground as the pickup helo arrived. The gun fire came from our own heloicopter. Frank was a very good friend and I think of him often. He upheld the highest standards of being a man and a friend.


CPL - E4 - Marine Corps - Regular
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jan 30, 1968
Casualty was on Sep 20, 1969
In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
MILITARY DATA
Service: Marine Corps (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Corporal
ID No: 549788812
MOS: 0311 Rifleman
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: A CO, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Tuesday, 01/30/1968
Cas Date: Saturday, 09/20/1969
Age at Loss: 19
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Nam, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 18W Line 117

Body was recovered
Panel 18W - Line 117


The 1st Recon Battalion Command Chronology for September 1969 contains the orders for and post-patrol report from A Company's "PARALLEL BARS" team. The patrol was to be inserted on 19 September and extracted three days later on the 22nd. The schedule slipped a day and PARALLEL BARS, consisting of eight men, was inserted at noon on 20 Sep 1969.

At 1630 the patrol smelled cooking and heard voices and the sounds of domestic fowl from a knoll. The team leader, Corporal Frank Montez, and three men moved toward the noise while the other members began to encircle the knoll.

Montez' group was fired upon by a single NVA/VC and returned fire, killing the enemy soldier. Two other NVA/VC then recovered the dead soldier and withdrew. The other group saw several enemy soldiers approaching from the south and took them under fire. Noticing other enemy troops to the east, PARALLEL BARS regrouped and started moving out. However, they took fire from the intended direction of movement and on the advice of an aerial observer reversed direction.

By this time it was apparent they were surrounded and the team went into a 360-degree defense while calling for extraction.

The aerial observer took the enemy under fire with rockets, but shrapnel also hit two team members. The extraction helo added to the close-in fighting with its machine guns before successfully extracting the team at 2030H.

Corporal Montez had been killed in the action and three others wounded - Hospital Corpsman Viento twice (once by enemy and once by friendly fire), Pfc Head and Pfc Goldmeyer once each.

HM3 Viento and Pfc Head recovered from their injuries, but Pfc Charles Goldmeyer died five days later.


********************************************

Silver Star Citation -


Frank James Montez
Date of birth: January 18, 1950
Date of death: September 20, 1969
Home of record: Salinas California
Status: KIA AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Frank James Montez (MCSN: 2375978), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Patrol Leader with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While Corporal Montez was conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Quang Nam Province on the evening of 20 September 1969, the point man detected signs of North Vietnamese Army soldiers in the area. Quickly establishing his men in defensive positions and requesting an aerial observer, Corporal Montez led three of his Marines in a search of the vicinity and encountered a bunker containing two hostile soldiers. The enemy immediately fired at the small Marine patrol. Instantly returning the fire, Corporal Montez killed one of the men then, throwing hand grenades, forced the other to retreat. With the arrival of the aerial observer, he skillfully withdrew the team to covered positions and directed fire on suspected North Vietnamese Army emplacements. While the aerial observer was making his firing runs, the Marines came under intense fire from hostile soldiers occupying another bunker and Corporal Montez fearlessly moved across the dangerous terrain to direct the fire of his men and silence the enemy fire. Directed by the aerial observer to proceed to a landing zone for extraction, Corporal Montez continually exposed himself to pursuing hostile fire as he assisted a companion who had been wounded during the brief engagement. After arriving at the landing zone, he ignored the North Vietnamese Army rounds impacting around him to examine the casualties and distribute ammunition to his men. When an extraction aircraft commenced an approach into the site, Corporal Montez boldly stood in full view of the enemy soldiers to guide the pilot with a strobe light, and, while thus dangerously exposed, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Montez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Action Date: September 20, 1969
Service: Marine Corps Rank: Corporal Company:
Company A Battalion: 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF


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