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Master Gunnery Sgt. Juan Jose Valdez has passed away at age 88. At 0800 hours, April 30, 1975 Valdez was the last American extracted off the roof of the American Embassy in Saigon.
Born in the military town of San Antonio in 1937, he enlisted in the Marines in 1955. Serving as a platoon sergeant from 1965 to 1967, he saw combat in Da Nang and Chu Lai. He later returned to Vietnam as the senior NCO of the Marine protection detail at the embassy. There, he oversaw security during the chaotic evacuation of the site. After making sure all his men were aboard the final Navy CH-46 Sea Knight, he lost balance on the ramp and was hanging on by two hands until hauled aboard by his fellow Marines.
RIP
Born in the military town of San Antonio in 1937, he enlisted in the Marines in 1955. Serving as a platoon sergeant from 1965 to 1967, he saw combat in Da Nang and Chu Lai. He later returned to Vietnam as the senior NCO of the Marine protection detail at the embassy. There, he oversaw security during the chaotic evacuation of the site. After making sure all his men were aboard the final Navy CH-46 Sea Knight, he lost balance on the ramp and was hanging on by two hands until hauled aboard by his fellow Marines.
RIP