Medal of Honor story: Jay Vargas

Despite being wounded, the retired Marine colonel carried his injured commander to safety amid heavy gunfire.

[@johnwilliamson2276]

Colonel Vargas is the kind of officer that all Marines respect. An officer who loves his Marines and would do anything for them. That shines through most of all. Semper Fi Sir. ❤️🇺🇸

[@devildogvet1775]

Proud to have served with you sir! Mt Fuji Japan 1987-1988. I was your duty driver several times and cooked you a western omelette while on mess duty! After our time together I had orders for Camp Pendleton and you helped have them changed to East Coast 2ndBn 4thMar! Thank you I served during Operation Sharp Edge Liberia Africa with 2/4. Learned so much from you. Respectfully Sgt Ned Northrup.

[@davidkemp8689]

I know I’m late to the party with my comment, but I was fortunate enough to have served under Col. Vargas when he was Regimental Commanding Officer Of the 7th Marines in the early 80’s. Let me say that the quietness and humility you see in his demeanor is how he carried himself then, but you knew damn well that you were in the presence of a great man. Semper Fi.

[@00kt86]

Soft spoken bad-ass. Thank you Col. Vargas

[@tgoodman8883]

Totally concurs. I served as co funny, F co second battalion, 7 th Marines, 1st MarDiv from 1983 . Then as First Sergeant, HAs co 7 th Marine Regt. In my time under the command of this colonel.....best commander a Marine could find. He was a leader of example. He loved his Marines. He was direct, trustworthy in judgement, and a man I'd follow into hell. Respect him, love him. Semper Fi colonel. God speed blessing to you. Gunnery Sergeant P T Goodman, USMC.

[@andrewmielke4011]

Thank God for our vets and our men and woman in the service today, these are the finest people in the United States, they deserve the utmost respect, God bless our vets, our country and our flag.

[@stevensykes7633]

Colonel Vargas was my Regimental CO when I served as Battalion Surgeon for the 1/7 Battalion from 1984-1986. From 1985-1986 I also served as the Regimental Surgeon for the 7th Marine regiment. My experience with Colonel Vargas was very positive. He was a true gentleman and a true Marine. He was a very soft spoken humble man who lead by example. A true Leader !

[@JohnnyHern7087]

God bless you sir. Thank you for what you have done for this country. Thank you to your older brothers as well for their service in WWII and Korea. What an exceptional brave and patriotic American family. 🇺🇸🙏🏻

[@paulf1006]

Thank you sir for your service and outstanding leadership. As an officer you exemplify the highest standards that all officers should live by.

[@scottadkins7322]

In 1988, I met Col Vargas at LFTC PAC...I walked by and saw that blue ribbon with the stars...I saluted and stopped and said, "Sir, I've never met a Medal of Honor winner before; and I'd like to shake your hand."

[@mgunny05]

I served under Col. Vargas in 1983-85 at Camp Pendleton at 7th Marines. Mess Night in 1984 as Mr. Vice he was the guest of honor. One helleva Marine!

[@johnjyoungjr7400]

I was in Weapons Co. 3/7 81mm mortars 1981-85. My EAS was 26 Aug. 85 when did he take over command? Also around 1982 a platoon commander from either Lima or Kilo Company is now the Commandant. Crazy! Also I went back to California to visit a buddy who stayed out there and became a LAPD officer when went on base and went to ITS at San Onofre and the Sgt.Major of ITS was a Marine we served with from one of the line companies. His locker was open his blues were hanging there he had a hell of a fruit salad for ribbons and to see that 3 up and 4 down and all those has Mark's blow me away. Semper Fi

[@allengrant]

He was awarded the MOH (+ Silver Star, 5 PurpleHeart, etc.) for his military leadership and selflessness to his men during war-time, AND he should now receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for his continued advocacy for his military brothers in civilian life (I know there's no such thing as an EX-Marine). There is NO better example of an "American Patriot" as is this Marine. !! Semper Fi. This nation salutes your past and FUTURE service. 👊🇺🇸🔔🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

[@rockyrocamontes8972]

As a Marine Veteran I would have followed this man anywhere.

[@lindamoses3697]

What a true leader! He got every man out though wounded three times. It is interesting that it took decades to talk about what happened. Feelings matter acutly for years on end. His service to veterans still goes on. I repeat....a true and humble leader, the very best kind.

[@arjunmohammad1729]

Instablaster.

[@conspiraciesarejustgreatst2059]

Sir, your a hero to us all. It's truly an honor to have you and your men as our peacekeepers. Thank you for everything you and your guys gave. Everything.

[@ivanthemisunderstood6940]

Wow. What a treasure the Vargas family has been and continues to be to this nation!

[@bobmowreader5546]

colonel vargas was the commanding officer of the 7th marine regiment when I first checked into 3rd bn 7th marines in 1985 until our battalion went overseas in 1986.then he was camp commander of camp Fuji when we were there in 1988. I thought he was a great officer and a fine man.he was a super nice guy who truly cared about his troops.i think it was a real loss to the corps and its' troops when he mustered out as a full colonel. he was a great colonel and would have been a great general! semper fi sir!

[@fourseasons2349]

served with Captain Vargas and Colonel Weiss in 1968 with CTF Alpha, BLT 79.4 in conjunction with HMM 363 (Smiling Jim) off the Iwo Jima, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam Republic of.. ...

[@johnjyoungjr7400]

#Bob Mowreader I was in Weapons Co. 3/7 0341 EAS 8/31/85. One of the platoon commanders from either Kilo or Lima is now the CMC. Semper Fi

[@robertbyers6105]

Four Seasons 7

[@anthonychavez1906]

Camp San Mateo we were attached to 7th Marines there ( 3/9 ) . Semper Fi Brother.

[@freedomlover24-7]

Do you know when the 7th Reg moved to 29 Palms? Vargas and Livingston, both MOH recipients, are outspoken critiques of the corps new force design.

[@kym393]

Words fail me when I comment on these types of stories, I've enormous Respect for you Mr Vargas and all people that excell when faced with ultimate consequential circumstances

[@romakid]

Your bravery and grit are an inspiration to all.

[@jameskawaikaupejrcwo3usmcr573]

Col Jay Vargas, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with the Colonel when he was at Base Camp Fuji, in 1988-1989. I believe he was the Commanding Officer of the Base Camp. I was doing an inspection of the Sub-Unit 1, for the Communications Platoon, 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion, later renamed 1st Armored Assault Battalion. We not only had AAV’s, but a Company of tanks, LAV’s, and TOW’s. He invited all the Marines doing the inspection to dine with him that first day there. My Battalion Commander was LtCol. Hawkins. Which we call him the Hawk. Later after I had retired from the Marine Corps I had met with Col Vargas again while with the VFW and the County of San Diego Veterans Office. He’s the ultimate Marine Corps officer and a very fine gentleman. I pray that he and the other Medal of Honor recipients are doing well. I was blessed to have known him and many other’s. John McGinty, John Bacca, Alan Kellogg. God Bless these Marine Corps Warriors. Semper Fidelis MARINES James (Jim) Kaupe, Jr. , CWO3, USMC, Ret.

[@gilgiley807]

Col. Vargas is a true patriot.Thank you for your service sir

[@MrRusalsmith]

Col. Vargas was my regimental commander when I was with 1st Bn 7thMar. Definitely the finest marine officer I can remember serving under.

[@dominiccannizzaro425]

God Bless you and thank you for your service sir!

[@lawrenceklein4918]

Soft spoken gentleman, but a very bold, fearsome leader! Wow!

[@gmh6747]

I was in Delta 1/4, I was so f..... lucky, camp hansen, long time ago god bless the United States Marine Corps, best thing I ever did.

[@chillymoe0331]

Semper Fi Colonel. I served with 2 Gunny's @ 2nd Marines that fought with you at Dai Do as young L/Cpls. They taught me a lot....I'm certain they leaned how to be great leaders from serving under you sir.

[@fourseasons2349]

Do you recall a Cpl Smitty, Prick 6 humper..his dad was a investigator for the San Francisco P.D. or maybe Cpl Kilgore out of San Diego or Muck out of Seattle...everytime we backloaded to the Iwo Muck would get squared away...

[@fourseasons2349]

Gunny Longo or Top Johnson ring a bell...S-4...

[@manfredseidler1531]

Jay... glad you're on our side, glad for your example, glad for your story and glad your parent raised a good one.

[@patriciawickholm3617]

Real war stories. One tough guy to be able to re-tell/live like this.

[@70stunes71]

Excellence in service. Him & his men . Great integrity, honor, & sacrifice. Thankful for all of them.

[@marilynvandererf86]

That is a great story ,very very brave men ,,the only thing is the music too loud ,,,,,, they are so moving to listen too

[@kennethsloboda1233]

What amazing story Mr Vargas, I’ve been listening to a lot of Medal of Honor recipients and their all wonderful, but yours is one that truly touched my heart, God always Bless you and your men :)

[@goutvols103]

This was the battle in which the ARVN was going to provide flank support but bugged out.

[@fbigburg]

the music (whose idea was that) was obstructing a important interview

[@multitoolish]

A true American hero! This is the kind of leader you hope to have when the shtf. Thank you sir!

[@maxdelozier5752]

True American hero...thanks from a fellow vet

[@mikemartinez7538]

Straight up Says , ... "IT'S THEIRS"....

[@richardb231]

You said it Jay. PTSD There must be a comprehensive response to bring our brothers and sisters back to their lives in good health. I feel the Medical Military has not figured out this yet.

[@libertyBuilders]

Incredible story! Thank you!!!

[@thesnapperlapper2559]

What a great man, American and true Leader

[@neilscuderi4911]

What a true American Hero. Viet Nam 6869 Army Infantry.

[@chuckcuttress2991]

I’m a Vietnam vet US army my grandson is currently in marine boot camp I hope his superiors are like you

[@patplewa5469]

Thank you very much for your service. God bless you!

[@shedeth28]

Love u dad

[@lindamoses3697]

Thanks to your family for supporting your Dad and our nation.

[@MrPickledede]

A lot of love and respect for your dad from Israel..bless you!

[@ffdv7458]

Almost heard the guy over the piano

[@mikemartinez7538]

God bless you Sir.

[@gonsalvesjoseph248]

Bad ass marine leader! for sure

[@andrebredell3293]

I remember When he was at 7th Marines at San Mateo!!

[@joemazza1011]

This is my half uncle Jr Vargas damn proud to call him my uncle

[@davidkensinger7581]

The colonels story is compelling enough, there is no need for background music.

[@jaketanner20001]

A True leader!

[@michaelgollin7853]

Considering the audio quality is not great. The background music is not helpful. I love these interviews but found it hard to hear this man's story.

[@donmccarter8497]

The music is too LOUD

[@darrylleigh7514]

Lead from the front and by example. I would follow you anywhere sir.

[@Winnie122459]

Slow hand salute!

[@markmeyer1964]

Thank You is not enough to say to a true American like Col.Vargas what else can I say

[@glockspecific7757]

I bet those men would have filled you anywhere sir!

[@romansroad2007]

Is he still alive ? I am in San Diego California too

[@vtlomboy]

Never heard called snoopy, but spooky yes

[@emojiking8580]

Puff 🐲💥💨 the magic dragon

[@markduncan6690]

Listen to this " Bemouth of a Man"!

[@markperkovich992]

Stop the music please.

[@pennyschwenki5240]

How can I help?

[@mikemartinez7538]

American Legion ...

[@rixar139]

☘ Irish Honey Badger - 😘

[@jaimetenorio7772]

God bless you sr you're a great person hope youg people can follow you up and get onto marine or 🪖 God bless our Raza orale canales don't give up let's show how much love love this country orale canales