Frank James Montez

Corporal Frank James "Frankie" Montez

Corp Frank James "Frankie" Montez

Hi, Frankie. Thought about you all day and told lots of people all about you. Remember when we sat in the walnut tree and you were eating peanut butter out of a jar with a spoon? LOL. Luvya, Cuz. We miss you.♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
- Sheila
Added: May. 30, 2017

I believe Frank was my uncle. He died before I was born. He was so young when he died. I have researched and found this site (and WONDERFUL information). Thank you for sharing your stories and impressions of him. I think of him often - so young and far away from home. I would love to be in contact with anyone who knew him (or had stories to tell).
- Melissa Bettencourt
Added: Nov. 11, 2014

Frankie~I took your little cousin, Dallas, to see your name on the Vietnam Memorial today. We decorated your panel with roses, ribbons, a little flag and a note. It looked really pretty against the black. Luvya, Big Cuz!!!! Sheila
- tygrlily
Added: May. 27, 2013

Hi, Frankie. It's me, Sheila. Today is Memorial Day and I'm thinking about you and your dog, Lucky and the big jar of peanut butter we gave you for your birthday 'cause you loved peanut butter so much. Remember you went to get a spoon and we all climbed into the big walnut treein the front yard and you scarfed down so much of that stuff you nearly threw up??!! LOL Remember when I fell out of our tree house when I was 5 and got knocked out and you carried me home all the way across the fields. I miss you, my big, sweet, handsome cousin. Forever a beautiful boy, forever a teenager though you died braver and stronger than men twice your age. Love you, Frankie.
- tygrlily
Added: May. 27, 2013

Hey, Frankie, it's your little cuz, Sheila. Thought about you today and I found you here. Funny, you used to be the big cuz and I was the pesky little one. Now I'm all grown up and you'll be a handsome 19 forever. A forever teenager, Frankie. Everytime I eat peanut butter I think of you. Wish you were still here. You would have been an awesome dad and grandpa. Luv you, Big Cuz!!!!!!!
- tygrlily
Added: Dec. 28, 2012

The 1st Recon Battalion Command Chronology for September 1969 contains the orders for and post-patrol report from A Company's "PARALLEL BARS" team. The patrol was to be inserted on 19 September and extracted three days later on the 22nd. The schedule slipped a day and PARALLEL BARS, consisting of eight men, was inserted at noon on 20 Sep 1969.

At 1630 the patrol smelled cooking and heard voices and the sounds of domestic fowl from a knoll. The team leader, Corporal Frank Montez, and three men moved toward the noise while the other members began to encircle the knoll.

Montez' group was fired upon by a single NVA/VC and returned fire, killing the enemy soldier. Two other NVA/VC then recovered the dead soldier and withdrew. The other group saw several enemy soldiers approaching from the south and took them under fire. Noticing other enemy troops to the east, PARALLEL BARS regrouped and started moving out. However, they took fire from the intended direction of movement and on the advice of an aerial observer reversed direction.

By this time it was apparent they were surrounded and the team went into a 360-degree defense while calling for extraction.

The aerial observer took the enemy under fire with rockets, but shrapnel also hit two team members. The extraction helo added to the close-in fighting with its machine guns before successfully extracting the team at 2030H.

Corporal Montez had been killed in the action and three others wounded - Hospital Corpsman Viento twice (once by enemy and once by friendly fire), Pfc Head and Pfc Goldmeyer once each.

HM3 Viento and Pfc Head recovered from their injuries, but Pfc Charles Goldmeyer died five days later.

Frankie Montez

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Frank James Montez (MCSN: 2375978), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Patrol Leader with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While Corporal Montez was conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Quang Nam Province on the evening of 20 September 1969, the point man detected signs of North Vietnamese Army soldiers in the area. Quickly establishing his men in defensive positions and requesting an aerial observer, Corporal Montez led three of his Marines in a search of the vicinity and encountered a bunker containing two hostile soldiers. The enemy immediately fired at the small Marine patrol. Instantly returning the fire, Corporal Montez killed one of the men then, throwing hand grenades, forced the other to retreat. With the arrival of the aerial observer, he skillfully withdrew the team to covered positions and directed fire on suspected North Vietnamese Army emplacements. While the aerial observer was making his firing runs, the Marines came under intense fire from hostile soldiers occupying another bunker and Corporal Montez fearlessly moved across the dangerous terrain to direct the fire of his men and silence the enemy fire. Directed by the aerial observer to proceed to a landing zone for extraction, Corporal Montez continually exposed himself to pursuing hostile fire as he assisted a companion who had been wounded during the brief engagement. After arriving at the landing zone, he ignored the North Vietnamese Army rounds impacting around him to examine the casualties and distribute ammunition to his men. When an extraction aircraft commenced an approach into the site, Corporal Montez boldly stood in full view of the enemy soldiers to guide the pilot with a strobe light, and, while thus dangerously exposed, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Montez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Frank James Montez

CPL - E4 - Marine Corps - Regular

Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jan 30, 1968
Casualty was on Sep 20, 1969
In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered

Panel 18W - Line 117

For more Info.  Click Here

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Thanks for stopping by Frank J. Montez Memorial Webpage.

Birth: Jan. 18, 1950 Salinas, California Monterey County

Death: Sep. 20, 1969 Tam Kỳ Quang Nam, Vietnam

In Loving Memory of ..... Corp. Frank James Montez.

You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!

Frank James Montez - Corporal
Marine Corps - CPL - E4
Age: 19
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jan 18, 1950
From: SALINAS, CA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Sister, Dianne Montez of San Martin, CA. Brother. Parents: Father, L..acio Ruiz of Gonzales, CA. and Mother, Lucille Montoya Montez, Born May 15, 1923 in Colorado and Died July 3, 1950 in Monterey, California. Aunt, Clara Montez.

** - ** "California, Birth Index, 1905-1995"
Name: Frankie James Montez
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 18 Jan 1950
Event Place: Monterey, California, United States
Gender: Male
Mother's Name: Montez

***** Frankie~I took your little cousin, Dallas, to see your name on the Vietnam Memorial today. We decorated your panel with roses, ribbons, a little flag and a note. It looked really pretty against the black. Luvya, Big Cuz!!!! Sheila
- tygrlily
Added: May. 27, 2013

***** Hey, Frankie, it's your little cuz, Sheila. Thought about you today and I found you here. Funny, you used to be the big cuz and I was the pesky little one. Now I'm all grown up and you'll be a handsome 19 forever. A forever teenager, Frankie. Everytime I eat peanut butter I think of you. Wish you were still here. You would have been an awesome dad and grandpa. Luv you, Big Cuz!!!!!!!
- tygrlily
Added: Dec. 28, 2012

***** Sandy Giron Hegwod
Cousin raised together by Gram Clar
Dacono CO 80514

***** To all my Recon brothers, this is Frank Montez. He spent 19 months in Nam, killed with seventeen days left. My hero and a great team leader for Alpha Company. Was awarded the Silver Star for his valor on September 20, 1969 I live with his memory every day.
Let us not forget the heroes that made our life continue. Semper Fi Brothers
Larry Huffman

***** Ted Godlove - same recon team - I was beside Frank when he was killed. He pulled me to the ground as the pickup helo arrived. The gun fire came from our own heloicopter. Frank was a very good friend and I think of him often. He upheld the highest standards of being a man and a friend.

CPL - E4 - Marine Corps - Regular
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jan 30, 1968
Casualty was on Sep 20, 1969
In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
MILITARY DATA
Service: Marine Corps (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Corporal
ID No: 549788812
MOS: 0311 Rifleman
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: A CO, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Tuesday, 01/30/1968
Cas Date: Saturday, 09/20/1969
Age at Loss: 19
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Nam, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 18W Line 117

Body was recovered

Burial: Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno, California (San Mateo County) Plot: T. 1241

"A Hero- Gone But Never Forgotten"

POSTED ON 10/28/2015 POSTED BY: TED GODLOVE


LAST WORDS

When Frank and I we laying on the ground; he turned to me and said Ted; what a great last patrol. Frank was scheduled to rotate back to the US after a tour and extension and extended his stay to take out this patrol as every one was available and the new Sargent was on sick leave. Frank tool out the patrol and would rotate as soon as he got back. We were surrounded and you could see the enemy in every direction. When we stood up for the helicopter everyone started firing on us. Frank pulled me to the ground, once the helicopter landed may be 2 sec as I stood up I saw Franks cheek skill flapping in the helicopter down draft, Paul screaming in pain and Chuck Goldmeyer, who died 2 day later, covered in blood and body parts. Great last patrol

POSTED ON 10/27/2015 POSTED BY: TED GODLOVE


A BRAVE MARINE

I was Frank's point man on this patrol.As the helicopter was landing. He held Paul in one arm. me and the strobe in the other and backup to land. He pulled me to the ground as everyone started to fire at us. After the helicopter landed he still had his arm around me I stood up and pulled on his arm, I realized he had no head. I believed he saved my life when he pulled me to the ground.

Photo Credit: Ed Rowland 5/3/2013

Rest in peace with the warriors.

"FOREVER YOUNG"

POSTED BY: ED ROWLAND

10/12/2001

Frank Montez was a member of the 1st Platoon, Alpha Co., First Recon Battalion, DaNang, RVN. He had a great sense of humor and displayed fine leadership skills. He was well liked and highly respected by his fellow Recon Marines.

We enjoyed many competitive games of handball whenever we were not in the "bush". His competitive spirit was always accompanied by great sportmanship and exemplified his pursuit of life.

Frank left us at far too young an age, but has always been with us in spirit.

"Semper Fi"
ED

Ciro A. Viento

Photo Gallery

Wagner, Frazier, me, Potts and Martinez at China Beach May 1969.

Sales, J.J. Bell and Frank 1969 from Aldridge

McInerny and Frank, 1969 from Aldridge

Ronald Overton

Gallery photos posted by Ron Overton. Thanks Ron,

Alpha Company 68/69

Frank Montez at Camp Reasoner 1969

Frank Montez Camp Reasoner