VETERAN

Reynaldo Roy Cavazos

June 25, 1947 – February 18, 1966

Lived 18 years

Quincy Valley Cemetery · Quincy, Washington

Favorite Visit

In service to country

Honored by Quincy

Each Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day, volunteers place a flag bearing Reynaldo's name at the grave.

Life story

Reynaldo Roy Cavazos was born on June 25, 1947 in Hidalgo, Texas to Alejandro and Raquel Garza Cavazos. At the age of 18, Roy is enlisted in the Army. He had started his tour just before his 18th birthday on May 20, 1965. While flying over the Republic of Vietnam (now known as South Vietnam).

He was killed in a small aircraft crash after being fired upon during a Recon mission in Vietnam. The plane they were flying on was a Rotary Wing Aircraft or helicopter, and Roy was a Door Gunner. He served in the 1st Cavalry Division and had achieved the rank of Private First Class before his death. The U.S. Army Helicopter he served in was UH-1D (tail number 62-12365) was shot down by hostile small arms fire in an unreported province of South Vietnam. After being hit, the helicopter crashed and burned. Two passengers suffered fatal injuries in the incident, SP4 Glenn V. Curry, who died of massive body trauma) and PFC Reynaldo R. Cavazos, who died of a fatal head injury. Two of the helicopter crew survived. It is thought that the two soldiers who were killed were both door gunners on the aircraft.

Two soldiers were killed immediately, two were injured, and two survived without injury. The Crew members were listed as RM Mauk, JH Peck, WP Eckman, AA Ramirez, Reynaldo Roy Cavazos KIA and Glenn Vernard Curry KIA.

In Roy's last letter to his mother, he indicated that he was anxious about where his division was headed as there was much fighting in that area. He wasn't able to tell his mother where he was going. He also wrote that he was looking forward to the things he could do when he returned home. Instead Roy gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country, he gave his life to protect the freedom of the country he loved.

He was awarded. two purple hearts, one in 1965, and one in 1966 after his death. He was also awarded posthumously an Air Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Photos