THE WALL OF FACES

Never forget..... Semper Fi

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Elpidio Allen Arquero, for your courageous and valiant service, your years of faithfully contributing, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you Staff-Sergeant E.A. Arquero, for a job exceptionally well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND

STAFF SERGEANT


ELPIDIO ALLEN ARQUERO


served as a


-- PLATOON SERGEANT --


with


1st PLATOON

COMPANY " B "

BATTALION LANDING TEAM 1 / 3


and was a posthumous recipient of the


~ ~ ~ NAVY CROSS ~ ~ ~


~ ~ ~ PURPLE HEART ~~~





~ ~ ~ SEMPER FIDELIS ~ ~ ~





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE


NAVY CROSS


TO


STAFF SERGEANT

ELPIDIO ALLEN ARQUERO



For extraordinary heroism as Platoon Sergeant, First Platoon,

Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1 / 3, in the Republic of

Vietnam on 10 May 1967. While participating in Operation

BEAVER CAGE in Tinh, Quang Nam Province, Staff Sergeant

Arquero's platoon was lead unit in a company search and

destroy operation, when heavy contact was made with two

companies of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese regular forces.

His flank security began receiving heavy automatic weapons

fire and sustained several casualties. He immediately made

his way to its position through the hail of enemy fire and

courageously directed effective return fire. In order to provide

much needed time for his platoon to deploy, he organized an

assault element from the remaining members of his flank

security. By this time the enemy fire power had increased in

severity and effectiveness, yet he daringly continued to expose

himself. Without concern for his own safety, he rallied his brave

assault force and charged directly into the entrenched enemy

positions. This action, which cost him his life, halted the advance

of the enemy long enough to allow his platoon time to extract its

wounded and withdraw to a defensible position. As a result of his

heroic conduct and fearless devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant

Arquero undoubtedly saved the lives of many comrades,

upholding the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps

and the United States Naval Service.

He gallantly gave his life for his country.