Remembering Richmond’s Vietnam Losses this Memorial Day

May 31, 2021

Memorial Day is for remembering those who lost their lives while serving in the military. In the Vietnam conflict, Richmond lost 32 young men. Most were young, ages 18-21. Four were African American, and four had Hispanic surnames. Six were married. I don’t know how many of their families or friends still live in Richmond. Today, we honor Robert Antonio Reyes, who was born December 18, 1948, and served in Vietnam from December 4, 1967 until he was killed in action less than two months later on February 2, 1968, at the age of 19, during the Tet Offensive. Robert was the oldest of five children. He attended St. John the Baptist Grammar School, in El Cerrito, California, then graduated from Salesian High School in Richmond, California on June 3, 1967. ROBERT ANTONIO REYES – Army – PFC – E3 Age: 19 Race: Caucasian Date of Birth Dec 19, 1948 From: RICHMOND, CA Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC Marital Status: Single – Parents: Father, Antonio Reyes and Mother, Eva (Reyes) Terrazas – Remarried, both of Richmond, CA. He has NO children. *** IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY SON Robert was the oldest of five children. He attended St. JOHN the Baptist Grammar School, in El Cerrito, California, then graduated from Salesian High School in Richmond, California on June 3rd 1967. He volunteered to join the Military Service in June 26,1967 to get his education, travel and help his brother and sisters financially. Robert was a very religious young man who never missed confession, communion nor Sunday Mass. He was a very friendly, conscientious young man, concerned about his family. When Robert was in High School and was given money to go out with his friends he used the money to take out his little brother and sister so his mother could have some time off. When he was in the WAR Zone he wrote and said, he could not see at night. He kept falling in the fox holes because of his night blindness and his Buddies had to help him out. IF ANYONE OF YOU EVER HELPED MY SON AND ARE READING THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! Sunday, May 28, 2000 Eva Terrazas / Reyes – CRBETTYBOOP@aol.com MOTHER 5110 Lee Place NW Albuquerque, N.M. 87114 PFC – E3 – Army – 9th Infantry Division Length of service 0 years His tour began on Dec 4, 1967 Casualty was on Feb 2, 1968 MILITARY DATA: Service: Army of the United States Grade at loss: E3 Rank: Private First Class ID No: 18916615 MOS: 11B10: Infantryman Length Service: 00 Unit: B CO, 2ND BN, 60TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV CASUALTY DATA: Start Tour: 12/04/1967 Incident Date: 02/02/1968 Casualty Date: 02/02/1968 Age at Loss: 19 Location: Kien Hoa Province, South Vietnam Remains: Body recovered Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing Casualty Reason: Ground casualty Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire In KIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died while missing, GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE Body was recovered Panel 36E – Line 77 On February 2, 1968 PFC Robert Antonio Reyes, at the age of 19 years old, became a ground casualty. Ben Tre City, about 12 kilometers south of My Tho, was captured by the VC at the outbreak of the Tet Offensive. Bravo Company, 2/60 Infantry, was directed to recapture the city. They did so, but only after a bloody fight that killed Americans, VC, and civilians alike and which destroyed much of the town itself. The American dead were 2LT Kenneth E. Golden, Youngstown, OH SP4 Irvin Brown, Mount Pleasant, SC CPL Vincent P. Landon, Detroit, MI CPL Eloy F. Le Blanc, San Francisco, CA CPL Roy L. Phillips, Chicago, IL SP4 Jack P. Wilson, Burbank, CA PFC Charles J. Bauer, Long Island City, NY PFC Fred W. Jansonius, Jamestown, ND PFC Ralph A. Keating, Caledonia, MI PFC Robert A. Reyes, Richmond, CA PFC Selmer E. Salveson, St Paul, MN PFC Paul A. Stender, Skokie, IL PFC Robert Antonio Reyes was in the battle of Ben Tre. As part of the Tet Offensive the VC seized control of Ben Tre City in Kien Hoa Province in the eastern central Mekong Delta. This area was normally the TAOR of the 2nd. or Riverine Brigade. However, tactical necessities required the 3rd. Brigade to assist in Kien Hoa province. During 1st. the 3/39 Inf was air assaulted into the city to clear the north bank of the Mekong. In the words of one of the officers, much of the city was already burning rubble from the bombs, mortar rounds and artillery. On the morning of Feb 2,1968 the 2/60th. was air assaulted into Ben Tre to assist the 3/39th. The plan was to assault across the bridge into the heart of the city. B 2/60th. was assigned to lead the way and fight across the bridge and into the city. Snipers began firing when the US forces got within several blocks of the bridge, then the VC began dropping in mortar rounds. The company did fight its way into the central city and helped secure it. The 3/39th and the 2/60th. and airstrikes combined for 150 VC KIA in the 2 days of action. PFC Robert Antonio Reyes is one of 13 men who made the Wall that day and Bravo Company 2/60th. won the U.S. Valorous Unit Award.

Robert Antonio Reyes Private First Class B CO, 2ND BN, 60TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV Army of the United States Richmond, California December 19, 1948 to February 02, 1968 ROBERT A REYES is on the Wall at Panel 36E, Line 77 See the full profile or name rubbing for Robert Reyes