Daniel Flores Perez, Jr.
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

Daniel Flores Perez, Jr. was inducted into the U.S. Army on 27 September 1965.

On 12 March 1967, Specialist Four Daniel Flores Perez, Jr. was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Perez was a machine gunner of an infantry platoon on a combat mission deep in hostile territory. The platoon engaged and killed 2 hostile soldiers but when one man moved forward to search the area, he was seriously wounded by enemy fire. SPC4 Perez ran forward and directed a heavy volume of fire into the enemy positions. Although exposed to heavy fire, he fought off repeated attempts by the enemy to reach his comrade. An enemy' grenade wounded him seriously but he continued to repel hostile assaults. During a lull in the battle, SPC4 Perez went to retrieve his fallen friend. He then continued to fight until the enemy broke contact. He gave his life while fighting to protect his comrades from danger. SPC4 Perez' courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Daniel Flores Perez, Jr. (ASN: US-54369072), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Perez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 March 1967 while serving as machine gunner of an infantry platoon on a combat mission deep in hostile territory. The platoon engaged and killed two hostile soldiers but when one man moved forward to search the area, he was seriously wounded by intense enemy fire. Without regard for his own safety, Specialist Perez rushed forward and directed a heavy volume of accurate fire into the enemy positions. Remaining exposed, he fought off repeated attempts by the enemy to reach his comrade. An enemy' grenade wounded him seriously but he continued to repel numerous hostile assaults. During a lull in the battle, Specialist Perez dashed to retrieve his fallen friend. He then continued to fight courageously until the enemy broke contact. He gave his life while gallantly fighting to protect his comrades in the face of grave danger. Specialist Four Perez' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4666 (September 14, 1967)

Honors

The name Daniel F Perez Jr is located on Panel 16E Line 96 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Daniel Flores Perez, Jr. is buried at Descanso Eterno Cemetery (No. 1) in Mathis, San Patricio County, TX, in Row 9, Lot 12.