Preserving a Soldier’s Legacy
As a soldier with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, Jose Enriquez was frequently dropped into hell on earth in Vietnam to conduct combat missions about the North Vietnamese. During his first tour in 1967, he survived unscathed but wasn’t so lucky in 1970.
In October 1970, Enriquez’s squad was called into action approximately 10 times to assault the enemy and conduct rescue missions on a mountain ridge in central Vietnam which was infamously referred to as “Hamburger Hill”. On what would be his final mission of the war, Enriquez successfully caried two solders to safety so they could be flown to an Army hospital for emergency surgery.
“The enemy got one near the head and one near the heart,” said Enriquez. “But they survived.”
However, Enriquez was also wounded with a gunshot to his shoulder.
“The bullet stayed in,” he said. “They had to cut the bone to get it out.”
For his heroics, he received the bronze star and purple heart which he proudly displayed in his home throughout his life.
A Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) patient since 2024, Enriquez told Francisco Escobar, RN case manager, during a home visit that he couldn’t find the medal.
“In April, Mr. Enriquez was deeply distressed over the loss of his Purple Heart medal,” said Escobar, who served 13 years in the Coast Guard and has worked for Houston VA HBPC since 2023.
“Over the course of our visits, he had proudly shown me the medal, and his wife often spoke of his bravery during the Vietnam War. As a fellow Veteran, I understood the profound significance of that medal and the memories it represented.”
Escobar researched replacement medals and was able to obtain a new Purple Heart which he also framed for Enriquez.
“When I presented the framed Purple Heart to him, the expression on his face was beyond words,” said Escobar. “His eyes lit up with gratitude and relief, and I could see the weight lifted from his shoulders. As he gazed at the framed medal, the look on his face was priceless.”
Enriquez was grateful for the kindness and compassion displayed by Escobar.
“I earned it the hard way,” said Enriquez. “I thought I had lost it, but this one is for life.”
Escobar said the experience taught him the power of empathy and how a simple act of kindness can have a profound impact on the lives of our Veterans.
“The care we provide our Veterans extends beyond physical health. It's about touching hearts, preserving legacies, and honoring the stories that shape who we are.”