Isidro Baca

The database page for Isidro Baca

Rudy Trujillo, Evelyn Lopez Salazar, Issy Baca 1954 or 1955 Issy and JoAnn Moad Baylon April 1955 Issy, Evelyn Lopez Salazar, Rudy Trujillo 1963 Issy Baca late 1966/early 1967 Cousins, very close in age and always together. Courtesy of Dolores Moad Gonzalez

20 Dec 2000 I was only 14 when you were killed ... but I still miss you. Your sister, Ann ann_359@msn.com

Isidro Baca also is remembered by Felix G Barreras Jr http://www.nmt.edu/~chonte/mem.htm

21 Aug 2003 To Issy: My mom told me a story about you when you were young going out with your friends. You came in and put your oldest clothes and shoes on. Your mom asked why you couldn't dress decent and wear the nice clothes she bought for you. You said your friends didn't have nice clothes and you wanted to look like them. Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow; I am a diamond glint on snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle autumn rain When you waken in the morning hush; I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die. - by Mary Frye (1932) - Love, Jo Ann From his first cousin, Jo Ann Baylon jbaylon@dcma.mil

21 Aug 2003 We lost you 36 years ago today, I was just 10 years old. I didn't get to know you very well but I was and still am your cousin. Issy, I think of you a lot and I thank you for serving our country with pride. I visited the Wall in DC and I go to the "Moving Wall" every year in Melbourne, Fl. You will never be forgotten! Love, Phyllis pthomsen@harris.com

28 Aug 2003 Issy, your name is etched on the wall and in our hearts. I've taken the rubbing from the wall in Washington D.C. and from the Moving Wall. I, like my sister Phyllis, attend the annual reunion at Wickham Park in Melbourne, FL. I remember the night you had to go to California on your way to Viet Nam you came by our house. You had some buddies with you. You wanted my mother to get you guys some beer. What were you thinking? My mom?!? That would be like asking your mom. Seriously, she wanted to do it for you. She just was afraid to be responsible, you know, contributing to a minor. We girls tried to talk her into it. We all knew you were going off to war. Certainly, you could handle some beer, right? I understand that had you been in an accident mom never would have forgiven herself. Now that you're gone, she actually wishes she had bought you the beer. She told you she would get it if you and your friends would spend the night. Alas, you had to go. I also remember that my dad had spent a year there and tried to talk you out of volunteering. It would certainly mean you'd have to go. You didn't want to be drafted, though. You wanted to be with the elite. The Few The Proud The Marines! There was another member of the family, another Marine. Another death at the tender age of 19! Our cousin, Evelyn's boy Victor Salazar, was killed while still at Camp LeJeune. A mortar exploded in the launcher. It was profoundly tragic but we loved him and thank him for his service and . . . Thank you and God Bless you. Your cousin, Dolores (Moad) Gonzalez mgonza05@harris.com Note: The photo at the top of the page has been hanging in my mother's house since 1967.

29 August 2003 You were only 19 years old when you lost your life but you lived a lifetime and you keep on living in my heart and soul. You were so funny and kind and full of love for everyone. You are my hero. I will never forget you and I will always love you. Until we meet again. From your cousin Evelyn Salazar vikyl@comcast.net

Things You Didn't Do Author Unknown, Source Unknown Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I dented it? I thought you'd kill me but you didn't. And remember the time I dragged you to the beach and you said it would rain and it did? I thought you'd say, "I told you so", but you didn't. Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to make you jealous and you were? I thought you'd leave me, but you didn't. Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie all over your car rug? I thought you'd hit me but you didn't. And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal and you showed up in jeans? I thought you'd drop me. But you didn't. Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do. But you put up with me and you loved me and you protected me. There were lots of thing I wanted to make up to you when you returned from Vietnam. But you didn't.

25 Jul 2006 Issy, Mike Company had a reunion in Colorado Springs in late July 2006. Your friends were there. Dennis Meredith, Phil Hendricks, Ray Calhoun, Tommy Wheeler, me and many others. We remembered you fondly. We drank a toast to your memory. You remain in our hearts. We miss you. From a fellow Marine who served wtih Issy, Joe Cordileone jbcordi@yahoo.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines' Command Chronology for August 1967 contains the following entry: "At 211130H [11:30 am, 21 Aug] at XD994484 the resupply convoy to Ca Lu was ambushed. The convoy consisted of three vehicles. One vehicle made it through to Ca Lu and the other two were destroyed. The convoy personnel were pinned down and requested assistance. The convoy was hit with intense SAF [small arms fire] and rockets of undetermined size. At 1312H two tanks, two twin-40s, one platoon (rein) aborted patrol mission and moved to the ambush site arriving at XD994484 at 1330H. Artillery missions were called and air was on station. Company "L" (-) departed 3/3 CP [Command Post] moving south with two twin-40s at 1330H and made contact at 1355H taking intense SAF and rockets. Both dusters [the twin-40s] were hit and the Company "L" CP group was surrounded at XD985508. The remaining units of Company "L" moved out and were hit at 1400H. One platoon from Company "K" and two tanks moved out of the 3/3 CP to support Company "L" at 1536H. A platoon from Company "M" removed the casualties from the resupply run back to Ca Lu. One tank with the platoon from Company "K" threw a track and repairs were in progress at 1605H. The platoon from Company "M" proceeded back to the ambush site. The WIAs from Company [illegible] were evacuated to 3/3 CP at 1713H. At 1900H the platoon from Company "M" returned with their tanks to Ca Lu, retrieving the two trucks of the resupply run from the ambush site. Company "M" also brought in 3 wounded NVA of which only one lived. The enemy broke contact at 1900H and Company "L" commenced to move back to 3/3 CP. Artillery missions were called throughout the entire engagement with excellent coverage of the target. Air strikes were very effective and on target. 81mm mortar missions also were called. There were 109 confirmed enemy killed and 305 probable enemy killed." Six Americans - two Marines and four soldiers from the Duster unit - were killed in the action: L Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines Pfc Benjamin Romero-de-Jesus, New York, NY M Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines Pfc Isidro Baca, Socorro, NM C Btry, 1st Bn, 44th Artillery CPL Juan Valenzuela, McAllen, TX SP4 Billy F. Watson, Sherman, TX CPL Larry R. Wiegert, McLoud, OK PFC Roger C. Lewis, Caledonia, MN

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his sister, Ann Baca ann_359@msn.com

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 20 Dec 2000
Last updated 08/18/2007