Uvaldo Sanchez
9.9.46 – 4.21.67

Uvaldo Sanchez – Marine ‘Doing Fine’…Killed Next Day. An Albuquerque Marine told his mother not to worry because he was ‘doing fine’ in a letter she received her on Friday, the day he was killed in Vietnam near Da Nang. Marine Lance Cpl. Uvaldo Sanchez, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cleofas Sanchez 734 Chamisal Road NW, was killed on patrol Friday. In a letter date April 15, the Marine said, “We’re playing records on a portable record player in a bunker. It sounds funny but I feel like dancing.” Two or three weeks ago Uvaldo wrote, “Practically everyone in my company has a Purple Heart Award. I sure don’t want one.” Then he added, “The Viet Cong sure can shoot good.” Mrs. Sanchez said she had been worried about her son for the past few weeks because he was writing just once a week. Prior to that, he had written home about three times a week. She treasures some pictures he made in March when he visited a friend, Rudy Chavez of Corrales, who also is in Vietnam. A graduate of Valley High two years ago, Uvaldo played basketball on the State Farm Insurance team in the local night league. His hobby was fishing and he often fished at Red River and in the Jemez. He worked for Romney Produce Co. before joining the Marines. He went to Vietnam last July 17. Born Sept. 9 1946, he was a member of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Surviving are his parents; two sisters, Mrs. Alfreda Padilla and Miss Lanette Sanchez, both of Albuquerque; a brother, Alex, now with the Marines in New Hampshire, and a grandmother, Mrs. Luz Sanchez, Albuquerque. Gabaldon Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Albuquerque Tribune, April 25, 1967, page A-4.