The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SFC Douglas Flores, who died in the service of his country on July 5th, 1966 in Kontum Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Misadventure (Possible Friendly Fire-DOW). At the time of his death Douglas was 36 years of age. He was from Kaunakakai, Hawaii. Douglas is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 08E, Line 132.
The decorations earned by SFC Douglas Flores include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachute Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Burial
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii
Douglas Flores News stories and obit
Taken from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin July 6, 1966 front page
Molokai GI dies of war wounds
Platoon Sergeant Douglas Flores, 36, of Kaunakakai, Molokai, died yesterday in Viet Nam after being wounded in action, the Army reported last night. It was the third time he was wounded in Viet Nam.
Flores was hit in his chest, left leg and left arm by fragments from an artillery round during a combat operation.
Flores was a member of Company A, First Battalion, 35th Infantry of the 25th Infantry Division.
His death raised to 53 the number of Island servicemen killed in Viet Nam.
In earlier action, as a shotgunner with tan Air Cavalry unit, he had received the Purple heart and an Oak Leaf Cluster.
Flores survivors include his wife, Minako Iwahori Flores; two sons, Jeff and Joel; a daughter, Aimee, all of 4806-B Handrich Street, Schofield Barracks, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John K. Flores, of Kaunakakai, Molokai.
Taken from the Maui News July 9, 1966 page 1
Molokaian Victim of Viet War
Platoon Sergeant Douglas Flores, 36, Kaunakakai, Mollkai, died Tuesday in Viet Nam War action, bringing the Maui County serviceman death toll in the war to 11 since 1962.
Sergeant Flores, who died after being wounded by artillery shrapnel during a combat operation, is the fourth soldier from Maui County to die in Viet Nam action in 10 days.
It was the third time he was wounded in Viet Nam.
The other three victims from Maui County were buried with military honors, in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl this week. They are Platoon Sergeant Haciro Imae, Tuesday; Staff Sergeant Kenneth Kaaihue, Thursday; and Sergeant Edward Paresa, yesterday (Friday).
Sergeant Flores was hit in the chest, left leg and left arm by shrapnel fragments. He was a member of Company A, First Battalion, 35th Infantry of the 25th Infantry Division.
In earlier action, as a shotgunner with an air cavalry unit, he was injured and received the Purple Heart and an oak leaf cluster.
Among Sergeant Flores survivors are his wife, Minako Iwahori Flores, Schofield Barracks, Oahu; two sons, Jeff and Joel; a daughter, Aimee, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John K. Flores, Kaunakakai.
Taken from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin July 13, 1966 page I- 1. This story included a photo.
Rites tomorrow for Sgt. Flores
Mass for Platoon Sergeant Douglas Flores, 36, of 4805-B Handrich Street, Schofield Barracks, will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Chapel Center, Schofield.
He was killed in action in Viet Nam July 5. He had been wounded in action twice before.
Flores was hit in his chest, left leg and left arm by fragments from an artillery round during a combat operation.
He was a member of Company A, First Battalion, 35th Infantry of the 25th Infantry Battalion.
Friends may call at the U.S. Army Mortuary Chapel, Kanalama Military Reservation., between 6 and 9 tonight.
Burial with military honors will be at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl.
Survivors include his wife, Minako; two sons, Jeff and Joel; one daughter, Aimee; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John K. Flores, of Kaunakakai, Molokai; seven brothers, John, Louis, Francis, Patrick, Joseph of Texas, and David of California.
Also, seven sisters, Mrs. Mary Kanoa, Mrs. Julia Siu, Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson, Mrs. Maraea Abe, Mrs, Margarita Akina, Mrs. Alice M. Naeole of Illinois and Mrs. Judith Napoleon.
(His BSM Citation)
The Bronze Star Medal is Presented to Platoon Sergeant E7 Douglas Flores, A, 1/35th Infantry.
For distinguishing himself by outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Through his untiring efforts and professional ability, Platoon Sergeant Flores consistently obtained outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implications of new problems with which he faced as a result of the ever-changing situations inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve those problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has materially contributed to the efforts of the United States mission to the Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist threat to its freedom. Platoon Sergeant Flores' initiative, zeal, sound judgment, and devotion to duty have been in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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