Right click on player to
play TAPS

CPL. ERNEST EUSTACE PEREZ

Born on Sept. 20, 1945
From LONE PINE, CALIFORNIA
Casualty was on June 30, 1966
in PHU YEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE

Panel 8E - - Line 113

Cpl. Ernest Perez served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Mike Company. He was Killed In Action during Operation HASTINGS. His name stands proudly on the Mike 3/5 Wall of Honor alongside the Marines he fought and died with. Semper fi, Brother Marine. We will never forget.

Operation HASTINGS

My Uncle Ernest

I am the nephew of ERNEST PEREZ and I am trying to find anyone who knew him. He died before I was born but I feel a need to find those who knew him. I served as a corpsman in the early 90's so I served with fellow Marines. I know he was in Mike 3/5 and he died on June 30, 1966 in Phu Yen. If anyone knew him please advise. God bless you, Chris Perez

We Were Cousins

ERNIE PEREZ WAS MY COUSIN. WE WERE VERY CLOSE AND HAD DREAMS OF BEING LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICERS TOGETHER.  UNFORTUNATELY, HE DIDN'T COME HOME.  I DID FULFILL MY DREAM, AND JUST RETIRED FROM LAPD LAST JULY. 

WHEN I HEARD ABOUT ERNIE I WAS STATIONED AT FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA. I HAD TWO BROTHERS IN VIETNAM AT THE TIME, SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO.  I FELT THE NEED TO GO, AND VOLUNTEERED. 

 I WAS A HUEY HELICOPTER DOOR GUNNER 66/67.  AN INTERESTING FACT WAS THAT MY FIRST ASSIGNMENT WAS WITH THE 48TH HELICOPTER ASSAULT UNIT IN THE TUY HOA VALLEY WHERE ERNIE WAS KILLED.  I DIDN'T KNOW THIS UNTIL I LOCATED A PERSON THAT WAS WITH ERNIE WHEN HE WAS KILLED. 

JOSEPH GOMEZ
 66/67

Friend of His Fellow Marines of Mike 3/5

Dear Ernest, we never met, but I am a friend of some of the Mike 3/5 Marines who were with you in Vietnam. My husband was also with Mike 3/5, only a year later. Your fellow Marines think of you still. They will never let the world forget your sacrifice. Each Sept. 20, I will make a special birthday wish for you, for it is my birthday also. God Bless you Forever.

Debbe Reynolds