thedrifter
11-10-03, 09:29 AM
Medal was destroyed, but honor endures
By Michael Stetz
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
November 10, 2003
Jay Vargas nearly lost his life earning the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor.
He was wounded while taking out three machine gun nests during a battle in Vietnam in 1968.
In pain, facing fire, he carried his seriously wounded Marine battalion commander to safety.
Thirty-five years later, the Cedar fire burned down his Scripps Ranch house and everything in it, including the medal.
Vargas – one of 134 people alive who hold the prestigious honor – did not have time to save it.
He couldn't save his Purple Heart, or his Silver Star or his Combat Action Ribbon or his other medals, either. They were turned into ash.
"They all mean everything to you," said Vargas, 63, looking at the rubble of his house recently.
When he wore the Medal of Honor he did so with pride, believing that it honored "all Marines who serve so bravely," he said.
It's uncertain how long it will take to replace the medals. One of Vargas' neighbors, Jim Ephraim, made some inquiries to see if he could help in the process because he said he can't bear to think of Vargas not having the medal at his fingertips.
Ephraim's home was made rubble, too. But he was still concerned about his neighbor, about his medals.
"It's a big deal. I hated to see him lose them," he said.
The Marines are already working to replace Vargas' medal. Each Medal of Honor is engraved with the name of the recipient and the location where he or she earned it.
President Richard Nixon presented the medal to Vargas in a White House ceremony in 1970.
"Even if you get a replacement, it's not really a replacement," said Carol Cepregi of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. "It's a shame."
In its 140-year history, 3,459 people have been awarded the medal. At times, it's given posthumously to honorees who died as heroes.
Vargas earned his as a Marine major, fighting in a three-day battle near the Vietnamese village of Dai Do.
He was instrumental in positioning a Marine force in an important defensive area, despite taking heavy fire. Even though wounded, he refused to leave as the battle raged around him.
Vargas was just as stubborn with the Cedar fire.
He wanted to try to save his home. He was warned three times to go.
Then he saw the flames over nearby treetops. He knew there was no hope. He had to leave.
And the Cedar fire came roaring, taking everything in its path.
Even this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Stetz: (619) 542-4570; michael.stetz@uniontrib.com
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/20031110-9999_1m10medal.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
By Michael Stetz
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
November 10, 2003
Jay Vargas nearly lost his life earning the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor.
He was wounded while taking out three machine gun nests during a battle in Vietnam in 1968.
In pain, facing fire, he carried his seriously wounded Marine battalion commander to safety.
Thirty-five years later, the Cedar fire burned down his Scripps Ranch house and everything in it, including the medal.
Vargas – one of 134 people alive who hold the prestigious honor – did not have time to save it.
He couldn't save his Purple Heart, or his Silver Star or his Combat Action Ribbon or his other medals, either. They were turned into ash.
"They all mean everything to you," said Vargas, 63, looking at the rubble of his house recently.
When he wore the Medal of Honor he did so with pride, believing that it honored "all Marines who serve so bravely," he said.
It's uncertain how long it will take to replace the medals. One of Vargas' neighbors, Jim Ephraim, made some inquiries to see if he could help in the process because he said he can't bear to think of Vargas not having the medal at his fingertips.
Ephraim's home was made rubble, too. But he was still concerned about his neighbor, about his medals.
"It's a big deal. I hated to see him lose them," he said.
The Marines are already working to replace Vargas' medal. Each Medal of Honor is engraved with the name of the recipient and the location where he or she earned it.
President Richard Nixon presented the medal to Vargas in a White House ceremony in 1970.
"Even if you get a replacement, it's not really a replacement," said Carol Cepregi of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. "It's a shame."
In its 140-year history, 3,459 people have been awarded the medal. At times, it's given posthumously to honorees who died as heroes.
Vargas earned his as a Marine major, fighting in a three-day battle near the Vietnamese village of Dai Do.
He was instrumental in positioning a Marine force in an important defensive area, despite taking heavy fire. Even though wounded, he refused to leave as the battle raged around him.
Vargas was just as stubborn with the Cedar fire.
He wanted to try to save his home. He was warned three times to go.
Then he saw the flames over nearby treetops. He knew there was no hope. He had to leave.
And the Cedar fire came roaring, taking everything in its path.
Even this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Stetz: (619) 542-4570; michael.stetz@uniontrib.com
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/20031110-9999_1m10medal.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: