Thomas Joseph Sanchez
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

Thomas Joseph Sanchez enlisted in the U.S. Army on 6 October 1953 in the state of Washington.

On 6 March 1967, Master Sergeant Thomas Joseph Sanchez was serving with Detachment A-108 (Minh Long), Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in South Vietnam.

On that day, MSG Sanchez was serving as Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese reaction unit during the rescue of an ambushed combat patrol near Minh Long. When radio contact with American advisors in the patrol was lost, MSG Sanchez volunteered to fly into the battle-torn area to search for the men. He found 30 Vietnamese survivors near the point of conflict and hastily organized them to secure a landing zone for the infiltration of reinforcements. When 28 more troops landed, MSG Sanchez deployed the men and moved toward the ambush site. Contemptuous of the threat of another attack, he took the point position and led his men in a rigorous search of the area. The unit was hit by heavy fire after moving less than 500 meters. MSG Sanchez hastily led the force out of range of the hostile weapons. He then noticed the absence of an American advisor and 2 Vietnamese sergeants. Ignoring the constant fire around him, he reentered the killing zone alone to find the lost men. Although he was seen being wounded by machine gun fire, he continued to search for the men. MSG Sanchez was last seen firing at the Viet Cong while making a last effort to reach his comrades. MSG Sanchez' courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

MSG Sanchez' remains were repatriated, and identified, on 9 March 1967.

Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal with 5 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Master Sergeant Thomas Joseph Sanchez (ASN: RA-19452350), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-108, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Master Sergeant Sanchez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 March 1967 while serving as Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese reaction unit during the rescue of an ambushed combat patrol near Minh Long. When radio contact with American advisors in the patrol was lost, Sergeant Sanchez unhesitatingly volunteered to fly into the battle torn area to search for the men. He found thirty Vietnamese survivors near the point of conflict and hastily organized them to secure a landing zone for the infiltration of reinforcements. When 28 more troops landed, Sergeant Sanchez deployed the men and moved toward the ambush site. Contemptuous of the threat of another attack, he took the point position and led his men in a rigorous search of the area. The unit was hit by heavy fire after moving less than 500 meters. Sergeant Sanchez hastily led the force out of range of the hostile weapons. He then noticed the absence of an American advisor and two Vietnamese sergeants. Fearlessly ignoring the constant fire around him, he reentered the killing zone alone to find the lost men. Although he was observed being wounded by machine gun fire, he continued to search for the men. Sergeant Sanchez was last seen firing furiously at the Viet Cong, while making a last, gallant effort to reach his comrades. Master Sergeant Sanchez' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1731 (April 15, 1967)

Honors

The name Thomas J Sanchez is located on Panel 16E Line 31 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Master Sergeant Thomas Joseph Sanchez is buried at Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park in Seattle, King County, WA, in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Guadalcanal Section.

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