09 Oct 2001 Corporal Michael Montijo was with me during a reconnaissance in force that originated from Fire Base Cates near Vandegrift Combat base, down the Cam Lo river from Khe Sahn. We had been alerted that a fresh NVA Regiment was in imminent contact with us. After two or three days we made contact with an enemy unit of unknown size, that we later determined was in the process of improving a trail to the east. They were building a trail bunker and preparing ammunition caches. We fought them at hand grenade range that first day, taking several casualties. During our attack, I was near the spot where our casualties were temporarily staged, and one of them was Marine Montijo. He was propped up against a tree awaiting some help to get back up the hill to where the remainder of the Company was holding a perimeter. He had been gunshot. I knelt down and asked him how he was doing. He replied, "I'm OK Sir". Within minutes of that meeting, a medevac helicopter was shot down on the very position where our casualties had been staged. My Gunnery Sergeant and I were within a few feet of the crash when it happened. Corporal Michael Montijo died in that crash, along with several other men. I remember to this day his words - wounded, in the middle of an intense firefight, and he answered my question with bravery and resolve that can only be described as heroic. America is so fortunate to have such sons. God Bless this young man as he meets morning muster in heaven. He is in good company, secure among the ranks of Marines that have gone before. Semper Fi, and I salute you, Corporal Montijo. Major Randy. J. Collins, USMC (Ret) rjctekpro@worldnet.att.net

 

A memorial from his Company commander, Major Randy. J. Collins, USMC (Ret) rjctekpro@worldnet.att.net  09 Oct 2001

Contact Us

© Copyright 1997-2019 www.VirtualWall.org, Ltd ®(TM)

Last update 08/15/2019