On this day in 1968, Captain Jay Vargas was commanding Company G, 2nd Battalion, Fourth Marines. He led his Marines in an attack on a fortified village, Dai Do, held by the North Vietnamese, near Dong Ha.

When parts of his company were pinned down, Vargas led his reserve platoon to their relief and inspired the Marines to renew their attack. Wounded repeatedly, he refused aid, intent on reorganizing his troops into a strong defensive position. 

The North Vietnamese counter attacked all night but were met by Company G’s strong resistance. The next morning, Captain Vargas led the Marines in a renewed attack on the North Vietnamese, staying in the open throughout the assault. 

Though hit by enemy fire for the third time in twenty-four hours, Vargas crossed the fire swept field to aid his seriously wounded battalion commander. Carrying the BN CO to cover, he remained in the open to organize the battalion’s defensive perimeter. 

He was nominated for and received the Congressional Medal of Honor in May, 1970.

Vargas three older brothers served in war time. Angelo served at Iwo Jima and Frank at Okinawa in World War II. Joseph served in Korea. Vargas retired in 1992 as a Colonel, after which he served as the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans’ Affairs and in the Veterans’ Administration.

Vargas asked that his mother’s name be engraved on his actual Medal in place of his own. The actual recorded recipient of the Medal is “Sando Vargas”, Colonel Vargas’ mother.