America250: Marine Corps Veteran Jay Vargas

This week’s America250 salute is Marine Corps Veteran Jay Vargas.

Jay R. Vargas was born in 1938 in Winslow, Arizona. His parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1917 from Italy and Spain. Vargas was not the only person in the family who wanted to serve the nation. His three older brothers also served in the U.S. Armed Forces and fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

After graduating from the high school in his hometown, Vargas decided to further his education. He went to Arizona State University on academic and athletic scholarships, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1962. He also graduated with honors from U.S. International University in San Diego, California, where he received a master of srts degree. Soon after, Vargas decided to follow his brothers’ footsteps and joined the Marine Corps in 1963, despite his mother’s wishes that he join the Air Force instead.

“My brother Angelo said, ‘You don’t go into the Marine Corps, we’ll break your freaking legs,’” Vargas later recalled.

After he completed The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, Vargas joined the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, where he served as a weapons and rifle platoon commander.

In 1968, Vargas deployed to Vietnam and was in charge of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. His unit was the last remaining one stationed in the area between North and South Vietnam. Company G was supposed to depart with the assistance of helicopters but was unable to due to heavy enemy fire. Vargas decided to lead his company on foot.

Once Company G reached the main base, it went back to the battle. Vargas’s company, along with two other companies, moved toward the nearby village of Dai Do. This led a three-day long battle between Americans and North Vietnamese regulars.

When heavy enemy fire pinned down the other two companies, Vargas led Company G to the rescue. Under his leadership, the companies launched an attack against Vietnamese forces stationed in the village. Despite being wounded, Vargas continued to fight.

“One of my platoons got pinned down by heavy machine guns — in fact, we all got pinned down — and couldn’t move anymore,” he later said. “I went forward with four Marines and ended up by myself because they were hit immediately, but I (took) out three heavy machine guns and killed 14 North Vietnamese in the trenches, opening us up to continue the attack.”

He continued leading his troops throughout the battle. When his battalion commander was in danger, Vargas went to save him. He moved his commander nearly 100 yards to safety even after enemy fire hit Vargas. With his communication specialists killed, Vargas operated three phones and radios. He contacted the Pacific commander in chief and ask for support. He helped coordinate the airstrike against the North Vietnamese, and soon the Marines captured Dai Do village.

In May 1970, Vargas attended a ceremony at the White House, where President Richard Nixon awarded him a Medal of Honor. Other decorations Vargas received included a Silver Star, a Purple Heart with four Gold Stars, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with silver star and Palm and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also received an American Academy of Achievement “Golden Plate Award.”

In 1992, Vargas retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of colonel. Between 1993 and 1998, Vargas served as secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2001, he cecame regional liaison for VA, a position he held until his retirement in 2009.

Thank you for your service.

America250

VA is highlighting 250 Veterans leading up to July 4, 2026, which marks 250 years of independence. Learn more about the count down to 250 years of the American spirit at https://america250.org/.

Contributors

Writer: Paulina Riffey

Editors: Nolan Lounsbery and Theresa Lyon

Fact Checker: Timothy Georgetti

Graphic Designer: Brittany Gorski