By Richard Howe
White Pine County Commissioner
I came across the story of a local soldier and the sacrifice he made to save his platoon in Vietnam in 1968.
That soldier’s name is Joseph Andrew Garcia. The actions taken that day by Joe are the events you only see in movies or read about in books. The only difference is these events are real and true.
Joe Garcia was born on Feb. 4, 1948, to Anselmo and Viola Garcia in Las Vegas, New Mexico, he was the fourth of six children. Shortly after he was born the family moved to White Pine County, Nevada where his father was employed as a sheepherder on the Robison Ranches in Spring Valley. Joe and his two older brothers were enchanted by the miners at the Grand Posse Mine that was operated at the time. The mine let the boys work odd jobs even though they were all young. This experience led the Garcia boys to a lifelong of work in the mining industry. That wasn’t the only job. Life on the ranch was hard work and they all pitched in to help their father.
According to his brother Benny, Joe loved to read comic books and read every chance he got.
From an early age Joe showed a “no fear” attitude, he would tackle any challenge without a second thought, including catching snakes with his bare hands. Joe was afraid of nothing.
In the early years his family attended a one room school house in Spring Valley. Around 1962 when older brother Benny started high school his family moved to Ely. Joe was in the seventh grade, adjusting to life in a new town was often hard on Joe, he found himself getting into fights and other mischief. When Joe turned 17 with permission from his parents, Joe joined the Army on Dec. 19, 1966. He took his basic training in Ft. Lewis, Washington.
Here is where Joe began his military career. He would never return to White Pine County again.
Joe was sent to Vietnam, early in the country he was assigned as a gunner on a helicopter, it was while on his assignment Joe received his first Purple Heart. The machine gun misfired and blew up in his face. After a short hospital stay he was assigned to an infantry unit. It was here where the story of Joe Garcia begins.
While on patrol on Jan. 31, 1968. Joe’s unit was ambushed by enemy fire, heavy casualties wee being inflicted on his comrades. Serving as the “point man” Joe became exposed to ravaging enemy fire, while being attacked Joe was wounded, although he was exposed to heavy enemy fire. Joe remained at his “point man” post providing cover for his comrades, allowing the remainder of his squad to take other defensive positions. At this time Joe located the enemy machine gun employment that was inflecting several casualties on his platoon. Although wounded and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Joe picked up a small “anti tank” weapon and crawled across an open field toward the hostile machine gun nest, he was again wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapon fire, Joe fearlessly rose to one knee and at “point blank” range destroyed the enemy, at that instant Joe Garcia was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper.
These actions prompted his commanding officer to put Joe in for the “Distinguished Service Cross”. Only May 21, 1968 the President of the United States by act of the U.S. Congress awarded this medal to Joseph A. Garcia, other medals awarded to Joe are the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with the ‘V’ for valor.
Knowing the story of Joe Garcia, I can only try and imagine what the last thought he had, “you got me but I’m taking some of you with me.”
Because of Joe Garcia’s actions, young men survived and were able to raise families of their own.
Joe is one of the “White Pine 15,” a group of heroes young men that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Joe died four days short of his 20th birthday.
A portrait of Joseph Andrew Garcia, a war hero from White Pine County who died saving his platoon of American soldiers in Vietnam. (Courtesy photo)
This is a very good story about a young man who died a hero and never got to experience so many things that most of us take for granted He and so many others fought so that the rest of us could live freely in the best country in the world. My heart is touched when I look at his picture. He was just a baby and he was taken too soon. Blessings to all his family and friends. Thanks to my brother Commissioner Richard Howe for taking the time to interview his family, research Joe’s duties and adcomplishments in Viet Nam and remind us that Freedom isn’t free.
Excellent story Richard Howe. Thank you for taking time to interview and research. I agree with Pat Raske, the young man looked like a mere child, yet was a hero. May he Rest in Peace.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story about my uncle. It was very well written. We miss him and know that he is watching over us.
Very proud of my cousin. He was very brave. Love my family.
I am Richards sister and wanted to let you know that many did not know of Joe’s heroic acts in Nam. He was certainly fearless and very brave. He was, sadly, a casualty of that war, and we cannot change that but we can always remember him and all those killed or maimed in war.
Wonderful memorial to a brave Warrior. Thank you Richard.
Here is the link to Joe’s place on the Wall http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/17813/JOSEPH-A-GARCIA
Rest in peace Warrior Semper Fidelis
Thanks Glen for acknowledging my brother’s article on Joe. He did a lot of leg work locating and interviewing family members for this. I believe many, including myself, had no idea of Joe’s bravery.
Semper Fi from a former Marine’s wife
Pat Howe Raske
Richard Howe, who said Ely boys didn’t have English skills? Great piece. Thank you for writing such a beautiful commemoration to a hero.
Joe was fearless though. I was one of the unlucky ones who happened to end up in a fight with Joe. They even took us to the gym and put gloves on us. I always say this was the only fight I ever had. I have always always avoided conflict.
Now you need to know I have carried a dislike for Joe since the 4th grade, not knowing of his sacrifice until today, a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. Now I can forgive him, and look at his face in a whole new light. I now see love and light.
Richard, you never know what your actions might accomplish.
My name is Mel Dittemore. I was the Combat Medic in Joe’s Infantry Platoon (Mike Platoon) and was in the same fire fight (Jan 31, 1968 Tet Offensive) in which Joe was killed. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t see Joe in my mind’s eye–leaping from the irrigation ditch and charging across the road with his M-14 rifle in his right hand and the LAWS rocket (anti-tank rocket) in his left. Please don’t misunderstand; I am fortunate to have never suffered from Post Traumatic Stress. It’s just that want to always remember that for one brief period in my life my boots walked on the same ground, and I shared jokes and drank beer with a true American hero. Thanks for writing this article and posting Joe’s picture.
Mel Dittemore,
My name is Katherine, I am from the office of Congress Woman Dina Titus. I am very interested in hearing more about Joseph A. Garcia’s story. If you have a moment please contact me my email is Katherine.Lorenzo@mail.house.gov or call our office at (702)220-9823. We are looking to possibly upgrade him to a Medal of Honor.
I served with Joe in Vietnam I met him in Oct. of 67, He was one of the first to talk to me when I got to the company, I kind of learn from him, our first battle was 10 Dec. 67, that’s was when I really seen that he was a soldier, he wasn’t afraid in the field, he would back you up. Then the Tet Offensive of 31-Jan-1968,We were coming in to an area out side Tan Son Nhat Airbase, He was walking point I was third person back, then after a ways we started getting fire from the buildings, we all got cover in a ditch and all hell started, at one point I saw Joe grab the Law , rocker launcher, and ran across the road I didn’t see him after that, the gooks(NVA) had pulled a machinegun up, it was on wheels and he was going to take it out, whether he did or not I cant say but I seen smoke, all this time were under heavy fire, next I know the guys said Garcia’s dead, it hurt when I heard that, I know when he ran across the road that he was wanting to take out the machine gun, we were pin down for a long time, I missed him a lot after that, still do, always when the day comes around, I named my oldest boy ,Orlando Joseph Garcia, In his memory, Peace,
Thank you Mel Dittemore and Daniel P. Garcia for sharing stories about Joseph A. Garcia. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country! My name is Ed Ortiz, I am assisting the family of Joseph A. Garcia in contacting former members his Platoon and Company to share their stories for a possible upgrade to a Medal of Honor. Please contact Katherine Lorenzo at the office of Congress Woman Dina Titus. Email Katherine.Lorenzo@mail.house.gov or call (702) 220-9823. The Family of Joseph A. Garcia would also like to speak to you and any other former Platoon member that can be contacted directly and to express their gratitude. Please contact Ben Garcia at (775) 237-7197 it would mean a lot to him to hear from fellow members of his brother Joseph’s Platoon!