PFC FILIBERTO CHAVEZ 11707871 U.S. ARMY

C CO, 2ND BN, 27TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV, USARV

DECEMBER 20, 1947 KILLED IN ACTION MAY 12, 1968

GIA DINH PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM

Filiberto Chavez was born and raised in Benavides, Duval County, Texas. His parents

were Rafael and Olivia Rodriguez Chavez. His siblings: Elda, Arnoldo, and Aurora.

Filiberto received all his schooling in Benavides; however, he moved to Burgoon, Ohio,

a small community in 1966 to work in a bakery and did not finish high school.

Filiberto was drafted while living in Burgoon, Ohio and went on to basic training

November 1967. Six months later on April 16, 1968, he was transferred to the Far

East conflict in South Vietnam. The casualty data report indicates that his combat

duty tour start date was April 18, 1968.

A letter written by PFC Chavez to his family stated that he had arrived at Bien Hoa

Airbase and that he was "laid back" (meaning that he had not been assigned to a Unit).

He also stated it was hot and that he anticipated returning to the United States

sometime in April 1969.

The 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division was operating around the

Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) area. The 2nd Battalion participated in some heavy

combat action.

On 12 May 1968, being in country for 24 days and at the age of 20 years, this young

Warrior, PFC Filiberto Chavez was killed in action as result of enemy small arms fire.

The location of this action was in the Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam.

PFC Filiberto Chavez was brought to Benavides, Texas, rosary was held at the funeral

home, he was honored with a full military honors burial. He is buried in the Benavides

Cemetery, Benavides, Texas. His name is engraved on the War Memorial in front of

the Guadalupe R. Ramirez American Legion Post #405, Benavides, TX.

Rest in Peace, Soldier! You paid the ultimate price for your Country. Thank you for

your heroic Service to this great Nation; your family, your community and all those

that know love of Country, We Salute You! You were a Hero until the end!

PFC Chavezs memorial on the Virtual Wall

The Combat Infantry Badge

Medals: The Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, U.S. Vietnam Service

Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal

Distinctive Unit Insignias:

U.S. ARMY VIETNAM 25th INFANTRY DIVISION 27th INFANTRY REGIMENT

REMEMBERANCES

http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/8837/FILIBERTO-CHAVEZ?ImageUpload=1

F I L I B E R T O C H A V E Z is honored on Panel 58E, Row 32 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

S3)

Name:FILIBERTO CHAVEZ

Date of Birth:12/20/1947

Date of Casualty:5/12/1968

Home of Record:BURGOON

County of Record:SANDUSKY COUNTY

State:OH

Branch of Service:ARMY

Rank:PFC

Panel/Row:58E, 32

Casualty Province:GIA DINH

Remembering an American Hero

POSTED ON 11/25/13 Dear PFC Filiberto Chavez, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your

sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could

gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose

courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake

your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow

my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for

America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

POSTED ON 2/17/11 Filiberto is buried at Benavides Cemetery in Benavides, TX.

POSTED ON 5/16/03

For our brother, who served in Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry

(Wolfhounds).

POSTED ON 12/1/02

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU"

As a Veteran, I say "JOB WELL DONE"

As an American, "YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN"

And as a Believer, "YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE--AND STRONG"

Again, thank you for your valiant and courageous service, faithful

contribution, and most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND

A NOTE: Review of a C Company, 2nd Battalion, database shows that along

with PFC Chavez, three other of his friends were also killed on 12 May 1968

(Cohen, Robert B. (KIA) 68/05/12; Kamrath, Jack H. (KIA)

68/05/12; Morrison, Jack A. (KIA) 68/05/12))

http://www.vn.alumni.wolfhoundsonline.org/companies/ccomp2.htm#top of

page

Caller-Times May 17, 1968

SHOWN: The War Memorial in front of the Guadalupe R. Ramirez Post #405 in

Benavides, Texas where the name of PFC Filiberto Chavez is posted amongst all

the Heros from Benavides that gave it all for their Country!

http://thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=8822

FILIBERTO CHAVEZ

MATT MEJIA ALWAYS REMEMBERED, NEVER FORGOTTEN

"AMERICAN HERO AND BRAVE, U.S., ARMY SOLDIER" Honoring and remembering, our brave, young Soldier, on the 40th, anniversary, of his death. You will, always be

remembered, as one, of America's, brave heroes. I will always, remember, your sacrifice and the love you, gave, for your country. Rest peacefully son, you, are loved and missed by many.

May 12, 2008

Manuel Pino 2/8 B Co 1st Cav-68-69 Fellow Vietnam Army Vet

I remember Our dead brothers still live for us and bid us think of life, not death-of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again and amid the awful orchestra of seen

and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope and will. I see them now as once I saw them on this earth. They are the same bright figures that come also before your eyes and when I

speak of those who were my brothers, the same words describe yours. Oliver Wendell Holmes Thursday, May 11, 2006

PFC CHAVEZ BASE CAMP WITH THE 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION WAS CU CHI VIETNAM.

HE WAS KILLED IN THE GIA DINH PROVINCE OUTSIDE SAIGON (NOW KNOWN AS HO

CHI MINH CITY)

THE GRAVEMARKER IN THE REAR MR AND MRS RAFAEL CHAVEZ PARENTS OF PFC

FILIBERTO CHAVEZ, HIS VA GRAVEMARKER IS IN FRONT TO THE LEFT. BENAVIDES

CEMETERY

FAREWELL MY FRIEND-REST IN PEACE!

The name of PFC Chavez as it appears on the Ohio Veterans Memorial Park

database: http://www.ovmp.org/names-vietnam-war.htm

CHAVEZ FILIBERTO PFC ARMY BURGOON 12-May-68 HOSTILE- KILLED