MERCEDES — Guadalupe “Wally” Prado Jr. was on the other side of the world in the jungles of Vietnam doing what he did best, defending people in harm’s way.
When he was a student at Mercedes High School, before being drafted for the war, Prado was known as the “protector.” There are stories of him coming to the aid for those being bullied.
And after Army Specialist 4 Guadalupe Prado landed in Vietnam with the elite 101st Airborne Division in November 1968, his role as the protector would continue.
On June 9, 1969, during a reconnaissance operation near Hamburger Hill, Prado made a stand against an unknown number of enemy soldiers, applying cover fire for soldiers in his unit so they could get to safety.
He would take a direct hit from the enemy and died that day at the age of 22.
He would be posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration for valor awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.
“He gave his life so others could live,” said Abraham Flores, a retired platoon sergeant. “He gave his comrades a chance to get out of the ambush.”
This is the story of one of the men and women who are being honored today, Memorial Day, for making the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the country.
On that day 47 years ago, Prado was situated on a rock shelf above the rest of his unit.
Disregarding his unprotected position, he leveled intense M-16 rifle fire against the enemy ranks, allowing the remainder of his platoon to take cover.
His courageous acts against the enemy helped hold casualties to a minimum.
Continuing to place effective fire upon the enemy from his open position, Prado was struck by small arms fire and fatally wounded.
Prado died with honor saving the lives of men in his platoon.
“He was an exceptional human being and he protected everyone that was around him,” said Joe Perez, a Mercedes resident who knew Prado.
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