Sp4 Jaime Pacheco |
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There were 2 versions as to the details of Jaime's death: |
The Official Version
This was the version told in Jaime's citation for the Silver Star. It was the only version of the events told to Jaime's Family. |
The Way It Happened
Jaime's family was unaware of these details for 26 years. Finally learning the truth brought closure to many nagging doubts they held for years. |
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Those who do not understand the nature of warfare will find in these conflicting accounts reason to condemn the military. I neither condone nor condemn the decision not to tell the family all the details, I simply UNDERSTAND. (Doug Sterner) |
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, U S Army/Vietnam/MACV Support Command APO San Francisco 96375 19 August 1972 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 1923 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR TC 439. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. PACHECO, JAIME SPECIALIST FOUR U.S. Army, Company H (Ranger), 75th Infantry, 3d Brigade (Separate), 1st Cavalry Division, APO 96490 Awarded: Silver Star Date of action: 25 May 1972 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918. REASON: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Pacheco distinguished himself on 25 May 1972 while serving as medic on a Ranger Team which was on a reconnaissance mission in Tan Uyen Province, Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Pacheco walked as rear scout for a four man point reconnaissance element when the element discovered an enemy bunker complex. As the first three men of the element exhausted their first magazines, Specialist Pacheco immediately recognized the danger caused by the lull in firing and rushed the bunkers firing his own weapon and throwing fragmentation grenades. As the team withdrew from the bunker complex, he remained in his position and continued to throw a total of twelve fragmentation grenades, covering the team's withdrawal. By holding the enemy at bay his fellow soldiers were able to escape without injury. When he attempted to rejoin his team, he was hit by enemy fire which wounded him fatally. His actions gave the team the precious time they needed to reach safety. Specialist Pacheco's gallantry in action 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. FOR THE COMMANDER: HAROLD H. DUNWOODY Brigadier General, US Army
A TRUE COPY |
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 5 July 1972 Mr. C. Doug Sterner Dear Sir: SP/4 Jaime Pacheco was killed in action on 25 May 1972, while serving as Team medic for Ranger Team 76 which was on a reconnaissance mission approximately 10 kilometers north of fire support base Spudis. Walking in the position of rear scout, SP/4 Pacheco accompanied a point reconnaissance element which walked into a bunker complex. As the lead element made contact and expended its initial magazine, a dangerous lull in fireing (sic) ensued. Realizing the danger, SP/4 Pacheco rushed forward and covered the withdrawal of the point reconnaissance by fireing (sic) his own weapon and throwing 12-15 fragmentation grenades. (Because this action allowed the entire element to withdraw unharmed and because it showed great valor with little concern for his own safety SP/4 Pacheco has been submitted for a Silver Star). Once contact had been broken, the point reconnaissance returned to the rest of the team, and the Team Leader requested a pink team and a section of Max gunships. The Team Leader worked out the pink team's Cobra first, expending all of its ordinance on the complex. Next the Max section worked on the complex. On the 11th or 12th run the minigun on one of the Cobras malfunctioned and fired 6 rounds which landed in and around the small Ranger perimeter. One round struck Pacheco in the back and exited through the chest region, causing a sucking chest wound. The Team Leader told the pink team commander he needed to get him out as soon as possible, while the team members stopped his sucking chest wound with a five quart canteen. Two members of the team carried him to the nearest semblance of an LZ, and the pink team's low bird came in, taking several blade strikes in the process. Although he was barely alive when placed on the low bird, he expired while on the chopper and was dead when it landed at Spudis. The company felt a great loss upon Pacheco's death. He was a deeply religious man and so well liked that it seems so cruel that he should die in such a fluke. A memorial service was held in his honor and each member of the command gave him his last salute. I can honestly say that he is one of the few in this world who had no enemies. I thank you on behalf of all Rangers for the stories you wrote about us, and assure you that many copies of the Garry Owen were sent home to friends and relatives. If I can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, /s/ JOHN A. FENILI A TRUE COPY |
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