CARLOS GARZA - NAM Tunnel Rat

RAW clip of Carlos Garza on Memorial Day 2019 at the Houston National Cemetery.

"One of the American "Tunnel Rats" in Vietnam, Garza was chosen, because of his slight stature, to venture into the narrow, pitch-black passageways of the tunnels. Garza's unit was stationed near Parrot Peak in Cambodia during the Vietnam War in 1969.

The Cu Chi tunnel systems led to underground ammunition stations, kitchens, air raid shelters and hospitals. The walls of the tunnels were often rigged with wires and explosive traps.

Those soldiers selected to crawl headfirst through the tunnels, armed with only a pistol, a knife and a flashlight, were among the bravest men who fought during the war.

For the years he served in the United States Army, Garza, a resident of Atascocita and chief deputy with Constable Precinct 3 in Liberty County, earned many medals including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for injuries he suffered when a mine exploded. The explosion killed most of the men in his company.

With the left side of his uniform heavily laden with gleaming medals, Garza recently received another award given to U.S. servicemen by the South Vietnamese government.

Though the war ended in 1973, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm was awarded to Garza and his friend Jose Casanova by state Representative Joe Crabb on Jan. 31, 2003 at the state Capitol.

Pinning the medal on both men, Crabb said, "The courage displayed by U.S. citizens under fire is unparalleled in the world. These men are living examples of that kind of courage and typify the very best about Americans."

Garza explained that until Casanova told him about the medal, he was unaware that he was eligible to receive it.

"Vietnam veterans who served between March 1, 1961 and March 29, 1973 are eligible," said Garza.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Garza was drafted into the army. "I was out in a cotton field," said Garza. "I couldn't speak English. They took me to San Antonio and gave me a test."

Garza explained that the test was comprised of images of a saw, wood, a hammer and screwdriver. Through an interpreter, Garza was asked which of the objects were related.

"I said the saw and wood," he said. "They said 'congratulations! You just passed the test!' They told me what they were going to do for me, the money I would make and that I would have a place to live. They said I wouldn't have to pick cotton any more."

Unwittingly, Garza signed papers that sent him from advanced infantry training in California straight to Fort Benning, Ga.

"I was in jump school there. I signed another paper and got sent to Vietnam. I didn't know what I was signing. Once I got to Vietnam, they picked me to be a tunnel rat. The life expectancy of a tunnel rat is about two seconds."

Garza described the underground tunnels as treacherous.

"You would go into a hole and come out 10 or 15 miles away. There were houses down there and hospitals," Garza noted. "We found a lot of documents, pictures, ammunition and crates full of pure heroin."

Garza recalled capturing five Viet Cong soldiers living underground.

"One was sleeping in a hammock," said Garza. "Another was cooking and two were playing a game like checkers."

Garza forced the men to surrender.

"I wasn't scared," said Garza. "The neighborhood I came from was bad. There was always shooting or stabbing going on. So I was used to facing danger."

In 1971 Garza returned home to the United States. He volunteered to go into the Army reserves, serving in the 4005 dental attachment. Later he joined the Army Texas National Guard as a 386 combat engineer and also served in the 396 communication unit. Garza received three honorable discharges from the military.

After disarming a criminal inside a bank in Dayton, Garza was thought to be a hero by the citizens of the town. He began a career as a law enforcement peace officer shortly after the incident.

In addition, Garza is certified through the Drug Enforcement Agency Narcotics in forensic pathology, explosive devices, narcotics testing, crime lab and crime scene and is a member of the governor's chemical spills unit.

As a token of appreciation, Garza gave his Army Achievement Award to his pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston.

"I gave it to him because he is a fine man of God," said Garza. "I like to help people and am interested in doing the work of God."
(Houston Chronicle article from 12 Feb 2003)

Canon volley from the same event:
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https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=g2WR_1559005135