Elias Salazar, JrPrivate First ClassW BTRY, 1ST BN, 13TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV United States Marine Corps 25 April 1947 - 21 August 1968 Harlingen, Texas Panel 47W Line 022 |
 
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The database page for Elias Salazar, Jr
He was a very, very good friend of mine.From a friend,Santiago Villanueva svjr@prodigy.net |
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Elias was my cousin. I think of him pretty much daily. I see him as a hero just like the rest of the Viet Nam and other war veterans. The more I read about combat the more I respect the combat veterans. My brother was in Nam with the 1/3, 3rd Marine Division, Co. D. His name is Eloy "Dizzy" Cisneros. If anyone knew him or my cousin I would like to communicate with you. Please respond. Thanks for sacrificing your lives and mental well-being for our freedom.
From a cousin, |
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Elias Salazar and I were in the same boot camp platoon (2010) at San Diego's MCRD June-August 1967. Elias had a way of smiling his way through the roughest part of Boot Camp. We had a diabolical DI (SSgt E. A. Rivera) who hated us for being "Mexican" (Ah! the mysteries of Boot Camp!). As I remember you, you were thin as a reed yet you never gave ground and were tough and resolved to become a US Marine. We members of the "Alamo Platoon", as we who came out of the Recruiting Station San Antonio, Texas, were labeled honor your gallant service and self sacrifice for our country. It is time the world and history honor men of your integrity. Rest well dear brother ... we shall never forget.
I remain,
Art J Ramirez Sgt (Ret) |
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I just wanted to thank Elias Salazar for everything he has done and the sacrifice he made so me and millions of Americans can have the opportunity to be free. I appreciate this because I am a fellow service member and one day will be deploying to overseas and will be a soldier in war. I on the other hand experience some of the stress a military life can have on someone and that is why I cannot give enough thanks to PFC Salazar. I am also a PFC and will be, hopefully, a commissioned officer in the Army one day if I can get out of being busy at the momement. I am currently in the Army National Guard and am a full time student in the University of Texas at Austin. I am currently trying to get commissioned in the ROTC program but it is hard trying to balance everything out. PFC Salazar was and still is a unique individual who did somthing incredible. He was a true hero and I will never forget him and his sacrifice. I wish I could have met him because he paved the way for someone like me, from Harlingen, to join the Army. Thank you for everything.
From a fellow service member, |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe casualty database indicates Pfc Salazar was killed in an accident of war, a "friendly fire" incident. The 1/13 Marines Command Chronology for August 1968 contains the following entry:"On 21 August 1968, a mortar round from a friendly 81mm mortar unit dropped short and landed in the position area."and it seems likely that this incident is the one which cost Pfc Salazar's life. |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 26 Jul 1999
Last updated 08/10/2009