Navy Federal Credit Union

Jay Vargas was born Manuel S. Vargas, Jr., but subsequently legally changed his name.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Jay R. Vargas (MCSN: 0-83768), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 March 1968, Captain Vargas’ company was participating in a battalion assault against elements of three North Vietnamese Army battalions in the heavily-fortified village of Vinh Quan Thuong in Quang Tri Province. While two of the Marine rifle companies advanced on the objective from the east, Captain Vargas led his company, mounted on tanks and amphibian tractors, from the north to an assault position. As the column moved across more than a mile of rice paddies and sand dunes, it came under increasingly intense rocket, artillery, and small arms fire and three of the seven tracked vehicles stalled. Quickly directing his men to dismount, Captain Vargas led them on foot through heavy enemy fire to join the remaining elements of his company which had commenced the assault. Aggressively leading his men through intense fire, he penetrated the enemy’s defensive lines, personally killing one hostile soldier as his unit advanced and engaged the North Vietnamese in close combat, often hand-to-hand fighting. As a result of his daring and heroic actions, the battalion seized the objective, killing 127 North Vietnamese soldiers and capturing four of the enemy. By his inspiring leadership, dauntless courage and unfaltering devotion to duty, Captain Vargas was instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    4th Marines, 9th Amphibious Brigade

    Division:

    3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

    Action Date:

    April 20 – May 2, 1968

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major Jay R. Vargas (MCSN: 0-83768), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy forces at Dai Do, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, from 30 April to 2 May 1968. On 1 May 1968, though suffering from wounds he had incurred while relocating his unit under heavy enemy fire the preceding day, Major Vargas combined Company G with two other companies and led his men in an attack on the fortified village of Dai Do. Exercising expert leadership, he maneuvered his Marines across 700 meters of open rice paddy while under intense enemy mortar, rocket and artillery fire and obtained a foothold in two hedgerows on the enemy perimeter, only to have elements of his company become pinned down by the intense enemy fire. Leading his reserve platoon to the aid of his beleaguered men, Major Vargas inspired his men to renew their relentless advance, while destroying a number of enemy bunkers. Again wounded by grenade fragments, he refused aid as he moved about the hazardous area reorganizing his unit into a strong defense perimeter at the edge of the village. Shortly after the objective was secured the enemy commenced a series of counterattacks and probes which lasted throughout the night but were unsuccessful as the gallant defenders of Company G stood firm in their hard-won enclave. Reinforced the following morning, the Marines launched a renewed assault through Dai Do on the village of Dinh To, to which the enemy retaliated with a massive counterattack resulting in hand-to-hand combat. Major Vargas remained in the open, encouraging and rendering assistance to his Marines when he was hit for the third time in the three-day battle. Observing his battalion commander sustain a serious wound, he disregarded his excruciating pain, crossed the fire-swept area and carried his commander to a covered position, then resumed supervising and encouraging his men while simultaneously assisting in organizing the battalion’s perimeter defense. His gallant actions uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.