Alexander P Santiago, Jr

	Photo from David Nelis

The database page for Alexander P Santiago, Jr

Photo from David Nelis REMEMBERED by his comrades in arms from VVA Chapter 421 Placed by another Vietnam Veteran, Lester Modelowitz lmodelowitz@si.rr.com 6 Aug 2002

30 Jul 2003 D Company, 1st of the 12th Infantry, lost ten men on 05 Jun 1969 and had 37 more wounded in an action southwest of Landing Zone Mary Lou in Kontum Province, RVN. The men, eight from Delta and two medics attached from HHC are SGT Louie F Dalie PFC Frederick J Henry PFC Thomas G Horal PFC David T Howard PFC Claudie Metcalf SGT Lawrence E Paulsen PFC Mack L Preston SP4 Alexander P Santiago PFC Paul R Tilleman CPL Thomas J Williams We remember them. From a comrade-in-arms, David Nelis dnelis@earthlink.net

22 Apr 2004 Remembering Alex P. Santiago ALEX was from the Bronx, NYC, who had a twin brother by the name Benny. Although they came from a large family Alex and Benny were always together and constantly competing against one another. Alex carried that love for his brother and all his new brothers and sisters at Mount Loretto throughout his life. It's no surprise that one who loved so much would make the ultimate sacrifice to help us enjoy the life we live now. I knew Alex and Benny very well - before Mount Loretto we were neighbors in the Bronx. We have lost a great individual and a great friend and Brother. Thank you, Brother, friend, and fellow American ... I miss you and love you. From his best of friends, Ray Rivera rjrivy@aol.com

05 June 2004 Seeking Family and Friends of U.S. Army Soldier Killed In Vietnam Thursday, June 03, 2004 ADVANCE STAFF WRITER Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro has joined with his Bronx counterpart, Adolfo Carrion Jr., to locate friends and family of Army Spc. 4 Alexander P. Santiago Jr., who was killed in Vietnam on June 5, 1969. Santiago will be remembered Saturday at 1 p.m. in a ceremony commemorating the 35th anniversary of his death, when a headstone in his honor is dedicated at the Mount Loretto Cemetary. At one time, the deceased soldier resided at Mount Loretto, Pleasant Plains. In the late 1950s, he lived at 596 Prospect Ave in the Bronx, where he attended PS 62. "When one of my staff noticed that Alex died in service to his country in Vietnam, but had only a small ground-level plaque at his grave site, we decided to obtain a proper headstone," Molinaro said in a statement. An engraved headstone will be donated and installed by Vincent Scamardella of Dignity Memorial Providers. The memorial program is being run with assistance of the Mount Loretto Alumni Association. So far, only one person who knew Santiago from the Bronx has been reached - the brother of a women he dated prior to going to Vietnam, Molinaro said. Carrion noted that Santiago's twin brother, Benny, diedin the late 1970 in an occupational accident, and another brother Tito, has yet to be located. A younger brother, John, is believed to have moved out of state a few years ago. "However, we are hopeful that perhaps some of Alex's extended family or friends who may have known him growing up in the Bronx may remember him and be able to attend the services, Carrion said. Santiago served with D Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division of the Army. He arrived in South Vietnam on Aug. 29, 1968, and was killed in action southwest of Landing Zone Mary Lou in Kontum Province less than three months short of his scheduled return home. Born on Jan. 3, 1949, he was only 20 at the time of his death. In addition to Santiago, nine other soldiers were also killed and 37 others wounded in the same combat action. Participating in Saturday's ceremony will be an Army Ceremonial Rifle Squad from the 77th Regional Readiness Command Army Reserve Center in Fort Totten, Queens and the Honor Guard from the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 421. Other veterans' organizations are expected to attend as well. " Taps" will be played by John Schiavone and Ted Schneider from Bugles Across America. © Staten Island Advance Reproduced under 17 USC �107 Courtesy of Lester Modelowitz

30 Nov 2005 HERACLITUS They told me, Heraclitus, they told me you were dead, They brought me bitter news to hear and bitter tears to shed. I wept, as I remembered, how often you and I Had tired the sun with talking and sent him down the sky. And now that thou art lying, my dear old Carian guest, A handful of grey ashes, long, long ago at rest, Still are thy pleasant voices, thy nightingales, awake; For Death, he taketh all away, but them he cannot take. - William (Johnson) Cory. 1823-1892 - From a friend, Priscilla Hernandez codebycode@msn.com

29 Apr 2007 How many times I visited the Wall looking for you and Angel, hoping to see someone I know that knew you. I was afraid that you will be forgotten and I knew that you have made such an impact on me with your kindly gestures. I visited the Wall every year until I was able to get a miniature one because I didn't want you to think you have been forgotten. I should have known better - that no matter where we are you are always in our hearts and minds. I want to thank you for keeping my son safe and for looking over him after he visited the Wall with me and paid his respects. From a Mount Loretto mission kid, Joanne Killeen Gressett icemomusa99@yahoo.com From The Virtual Wall: "Angel" probably is Sergeant Angel Mendez, who also grew up in the Mount Loretto Mission; he was killed in action with Fox 2/7 Marines, 16 Mar 1967. A third Mount Loretto man, 1LT Kevin O'Brien of the 2nd Bn, 94th Artillery, disappeared when an O-1G Birddog (tail #51-5059) light observation aircraft went down in bad weather on 09 January 1969; his remains have no been recovered.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 6 Aug 2002
Last updated 08/10/2009