THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. It saddens me so few have left remembrances for you here....surely you deserve better. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Sgt Raphael Collazo,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. I am glad that you were identified 1993. Welcome Home.2017 almost gone, and it is the 6th Day of Christmas. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SGT Raphael Lorenzo Collazo, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Raphael is buried at Los Angeles National Cemetery.

SERGEANT



RAPHAEL LORENZO COLLAZO





who served with the





AERO RIFLE PLATOON



TROOP C



3rd SQUADRON



17th AIR CAVALRY REGIMENT



" RUTHLESS RIDERS "





was posthumously awarded the



DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



PURPLE HEART



NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL



VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL



REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL





and was entitled to wear the





COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE











THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL











YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN



NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE







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CITATION FOR POSTHUMOUS AWARD OF THE



DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS





The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross ( Posthumously ) to Raphael Lorenzo Collazo, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as the point man of the lead squad of the Aero Rifle Platoon of Troop C, 3d Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, in support of the United States 9th Infantry Division Operations in Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam on 17 March 1968. Private Collazo's platoon came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire as it moved along a canal in search of enemy elements. Private Collazo immediately returned fire to cover his fellow platoon members as they maneuvered into the canal. Having located the source of the enemy fire, he moved around the left flank of his platoon and into another canal which ran directly beside the heavily defended enemy position. Private Collazo then, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, assaulted and single-handedly destroyed the enemy bunker with grenade and rifle fire. As he did, another enemy position on the other side of the canal began firing in the direction of his platoon. Realizing that this weapon too, was a threat to the lives of the men of his platoon, he again began moving toward a heavily defended hostile position. Using a small sampan as cover, he was able to advance to within a few feet of the enemy before being seen. Then, while receiving fire from both sides of the canal, Private Collazo fought in two directions and was able to advance to within inches of his objective before being killed by the murderous crossfire. Through his resolute fearlessness, intense concern for his fellow soldier, and total disregard for his own personal safety, Private Collazo enabled the platoon to complete its mission and effect a successful extraction without further losses. His extraordinary heroism, uncommon valor, and intrepidity at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces of his country.







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R E M E M B R A N C E









21 JULY 1999