Thomas Soliz
Corporal
3RD PLT, A CO, 1ST AMTRAC BN, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Bakersfield, California
November 24, 1947 to September 06, 1967
THOMAS SOLIZ is on the Wall at Panel 26E, Line 18

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Combat Action Ribbon
 

 
26 Aug 2003

I still remember that day after 36 years and the great sadness of it all...

From an anonymous platoonmate


 
28 Jan 2005

Thank you for remembering our brother.

From his sister,
Theresa Soliz
terry_soliz@csumb.edu


 
The Secretary of the Navy
takes pride in presenting the

NAVY CROSS

to

Thomas Soliz
Corporal
United States Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Radio Operator with Company A, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Tri Province in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 September 1967. While on patrol, the Third Platoon of Company A was suddenly attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Observing his Platoon Commander wounded and the platoon sustaining heavy casualties from a withering enemy fire of automatic, small-arms and antitank weapons, Corporal Soliz, with complete disregard for his own safety, ran about twenty-five meters through extremely heavy fire to climb aboard an amphibian tractor to man a machine gun. Knowing the safety of the platoon and outcome of the battle depended on his platoon gaining fire superiority, he unhesitatingly proceeded to place a heavy volume of well-aimed fire on the enemy which enabled the platoon to gain fire superiority, deploy to better defensive positions and evacuate several seriously wounded Marines to amphibian tractors where they could be treated. As he was delivering his devastating fire into the enemy, he was severely wounded by enemy fire which rendered him unconscious. Before assistance could arrive, Corporal Soliz was hit again and mortally wounded. Corporal Soliz's concern for the other members of his platoon coupled with his keen professional skill and unfaltering dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On 06 Sep 1967 elements of A Company, 1st Amtrac Battalion, ran into an ambush while on patrol. Three members of the 3rd Platoon died in the fighting, while a fourth died almost 6 months later of wounds received that day. The four men are

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