PFC Dean Vasquez, Robbinsdale, MN on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

According to one tribute on the internet, Dean played football in Junior High School. He was remembered as "... a big, soft spoken kid. He didn't say much and after playing against him I decided football wasn't in my future. He went on to letter at our high school. In fact, I think he lettered as a sophmore."

Dean attended Robbinsdale Senior High School in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Another memorial noted he was remembered as playing the tuba. He graduated in 1967 from a class of 755 seniors and entered the service right out of high school.

PFC Vasquez was survived by his mother, Rita Vasquez, then at Quail Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota. PFC Vasquez was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for valor, which was presented to his mother.

In 2011, Rita helped organize the Department of California, North, Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers. They are located in Contra Costa County. Rita was recognized a Gold Star Mother in 2012. PFC Vasquez is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.