Victor Ilog
English 1301
10 a.m.
2/20/2004
Lawrence Welsh
Leaving a Legacy
Private 1st Class Richard Dominguez wasn't thinking about self-preservation on that November day 35 years ago. Within his field of vision were several critically wounded infantrymen in desperate need of emergency evacuation. They were pinned down by enemy fire and in serious trouble. Without regard for his own life, the 20-year-old private charged into the barrage of bullets aimed at the wounded. By placing accurate and continuous fire on enemy positions, the soldier diverted the Viet Cong long enough for medics to carry the casualties and wounded to waiting choppers. The U.S. Army awarded the young private with the nations third highest honor, the Bronze Star, for his valor that day.
"Imagine what hell is likeâ¦then go way past it." Such was the reality for Richard Dominguez and the thousands of young men that fought for their lives in the jungles of Vietnam.
Dominguez-Escalante NCA
Dominguez-Escalante NCAIt was in this reality that Dominguez bravely faced the horrors of war, and became a true hero.
Dominguez would eventually earn three Bronze Stars during his tour of duty. The first was awarded after the young private single-handedly captured an enemy bunker. The ensuing interrogations of prisoners led to the capture of yet another bunker that contained vital information on enemy movements. After more than 50 combat assaults by aerial insertion, the Army awarded Pvt. Dominguez with his third Bronze Star in May 1969 for meritorious service.
ILOG 2
Today, when people talk about courage, bravery, or heroism, it's usually attached to a story of a boy rescuing a dog, or a celebrity fund raising effort against breast cancer. The truly worthy aspects of human nature are rarely stressed or exemplified by a media that spoon-feeds the public feel good stories. As I sat...