The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 Daniel Flores Perez Jr., who died in the service of his country on March 16th, 1967 in Kontum Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW (DOW 3/16/66). At the time of his death Daniel was 22 years of age. He was from Mathis, Texas. Daniel is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 16E, Line 96.
The decorations earned by SP4 Daniel Flores Perez Jr. include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Daniel Flores Perez, Jr. (ASN: US-54369072), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Perez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 March 1967 while serving as machine gunner of an infantry platoon on a combat mission deep in hostile territory. The platoon engaged and killed two hostile soldiers but when one man moved forward to search the area, he was seriously wounded by intense enemy fire. Without regard for his own safety, Specialist Perez rushed forward and directed a heavy volume of accurate fire into the enemy positions. Remaining exposed, he fought off repeated attempts by the enemy to reach his comrade. An enemy grenade wounded. him seriously but he continued to repel numerous hostile assaults. During a lull in the battle, Specialist Perez dashed to retrieve his fallen friend. He then continued to fight courageously until the enemy broke contact. He gave his life while gallantly fighting to protect his comrades in the face of grave danger. Specialist Four Perez extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4666 (September 14, 1967)
Perez, Daniel F., son of Sista F. Perez, was born at Beeville, Tex., July 19, 1944. Died in Vietnam, Mar. 16, 1967; aged 22 y. 7 m. 25 d. Surviving is a sister, Mrs. Benilda Perez Marez. He attended Calvary Church, Mathis, Tex., where funeral services were held Mar. 26, with Eulario Flores, Samuel Hernandez, and Paul Conrad officiating. Interment in Descanso Eterno Cemetery
|
