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Fernando Figueroa
Specialist Five
AERO RIFLE PLT, D TRP, 3RD SQDN, 5TH CAVALRY, 101ST ABN DIV, USARV Army of the United States Chicago, Illinois February 06, 1950 to January 24, 1972 (Incident Date January 20, 1972) FERNANDO FIGUEROA is on the Wall at Panel W2, Line 100 |
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Fernando and I were friends and classmates at Kelly High School in Chicago. We both enlisted because we were patriotic and at the time it seemed like the thing to do. The last time I saw Fernando alive was when we were both assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sep) and I ran into him at LZ English. He was recovering from wounds and was on light duty at the time. Fernando always, always, always had a smile on his face and he was a pleasure to be around even when times were bad. We laughed and talked and reminisced about home and family and even talked about re-enlisting together for a burst of six more years in the "Nam". The next time I saw Fernando was one of the worst days in my life. In January 1972, I received a phone call from his sister and the minute I heard her voice on the phone I knew he was gone. I attended his wake and I completely fell apart. As a young paratrooper in Vietnam, I could have dealt with his loss differently, however after being home for over a year and then having to deal with this tragedy, was more than I could bear at the time. I wear a KIA bracelet bearing his name to this day, and will continue to honor his memory for he truly represented everything that was good and right about this country and what it meant to be an American.
Michael James Weaver |
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I went to school with Fernando at Kelly High School and I remember him fondly. We used to hang out all the time with each other. Last time I ever got to talk to him, we were both home on leave, and he had talked about signing up for a second stint when finished with the first one. I wear his KIA bracelet with good memories of him.
From his High School buddy & GOOD FRIEND FOREVER, |
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My name is Karen. I knew Fernando ("Ringo") from roller skating at St. Joseph and St. Anne. He, my girlfriend Darlene, and Steve Soria often came to my house after skating and played Monopoly. I remember being at his house, in the basement playing record "alblums" as he used to pronounce it. It's been so many years since he left this earth, but he'll never leave my heart and memories. God bless Ringo.
From a friend, |
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I was one of the pilots who was in the flight where SP/5 Figueroa's aircraft was shot down. I have the full and complete details. I would like to correspond with his friends and family.
LTC Hugh Mills |
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Ringo was my best friend, we grew up as kids together. We had some great times. I had the honor of meeting Hugh Mills, who was there the day Ringo's chopper was shot down. I will never forget our meeting. He took me there as if I were sitting next to him. I will talk to anyone about that day, anytime.
From a friend, |
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REMEMBERED
by his cousin, |
A Note from The Virtual WallOn 20 Jan 1972 UH-1H tail number 69-16717 from D Troop, 3/5 Cavalry, was returning from rescue efforts for an Air Force F-4D (67-0247, 421st TFS, Danang AB) which had been shot down about 20 miles west of Khe Sanh. The Huey was carrying four crewmen and four infantrymen - 8 men all told.The aircraft was hit by enemy gunfire, caught fire, and autorotated to a controlled crash in the Rao Quan River, rolling onto its side at impact. Six of the 8 men were able to escape the burning and exploding Huey and were picked up by another Huey. The bodies of the two men trapped in the Huey could not be recovered, and two of the survivors died in Japan several days later:
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