Resolutions to Support Vietnam Veteran Upgrades to Medal of Honor

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (June 5, 2018– Hagåtña)- The case files of six native sons, who are recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Award for extreme acts of valor in combat during the Vietnam War, are amongst those being championed for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor.

In compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017, the Department of the Army is currently reviewing the case files of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander War Veterans to determine if they were bypassed for the Medal of Honor due to racial, ethnic, religious or political biases.

CSM Martin A. Manglona, SGM Juan O. Blaz, Sergeant First Class Vicente T. Dydasco, Staff Sergeant Enrique Cruz, Staff Sergeant Tomas G. Reyes, and Specialist Fourth Class Joseph M. Perez are the six Vietnam Veterans, whose heroic acts in combat during the Vietnam War earned them the DSC Award.

In honor of their heroism and in support of the review effort, the 34th Guam Legislature will present commendatory legislative resolutions to the DSC Veterans and their families. The resolutions (Resolution Nos. 450-34 (COR) through 455-34 (COR)) were introduced by Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje, Senator Tom Ada, Senator Frank B. Aguon Jr., Senator Fernando Esteves, Senator Telena C. Nelson, Senator Joe S. San Agustin, and Senator Dennis G. Rodriguez Jr.

The presentation of resolutions will take place on June 11, 2018, 9:00 a.m. at the Guam Congress Building. The public is invited.

Retired Marine Colonel Joaquin Santos Jr., an advocate for the Medal of Honor upgrade of the six Chamorro veterans stated,”I am elated to know that Guam will finally recognize our heroes who shed their blood in the War in Vietnam. These six Chamorro men played a major role in the
accomplishment of their mission, and the Army awarded them the Distinguished Service Cross for their unselfish valorous and heroic acts above and beyond the call of duty.”

“The stories of these six courageous and sacrificing men are inspiring and should be recognized in our Guam archives. If they were bypassed unjustly then I hope that these efforts will help bring justice to them and their families,” stated Terlaje.

For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.