Bio, Puentes, Manuel R.

Source: Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S.
Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families,
published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 2020.

REMARKS: KIA BY GRENADE/AMBUSH - J

SYNOPSIS: On March 25, 1971, PFC Manuel R. Puentes, PFC Richard J. Rossano,
and SSgt. R.D. McDonell were rifleman and members of a 12 man combat patrol
operating in northwest Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, a few miles south
of the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Their patrol leader was Jimmy C. Johnson.

During the patrol, the team was ambushed by enemy forces. It was reported
that PFC Rossano was the first man to be hit, apparently by a blast from a
grenade. Puentes was seen wounded, but moving under his own power seeking
cover. The patrol was forced to withdraw. Johnson, Puentes, Rossano and
McDonell were left behind.

Attempts by reaction forces to reenter the area were unsuccessful. Johnson
was later recovered with bad wounds in the lower body. He reported that Sgt.
McDonell had picked up a grenade to throw it back at the enemy, but the
device had exploded in his hand, killing him immediately.

McDonell was listed as killed, body not recovered. Rossano was also
considered to be dead, but his body was not recovered. Puentes was declared
Missing in Action, since he was last seen alive. There is a distinct
possibility that he was captured. The Vietnamese undoubtedly know the fates
of all three men.

Since the war ended in Southeast Asia, thousands of refugee reports have
been received indicating that many Americans are still alive in captivity.
Men like McDonell and Rossano gave all they had for the cause of freedom.
Puentes may yet be serving his country. Can we afford to turn our backs on
these men?

Conflict
Service
Status

VIETNAM WAR
UNITED STATES ARMY
Unaccounted For

On March 25, 1971, an American patrol was operating in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, when they were engaged by an enemy force of unknown size. The patrol managed to break contact with the enemy but were forced to leave the patrol leader and three other members behind due to the intense enemy fire. The patrol leader eventually evaded the enemy and made his way to safety. He reported that two of the three patrol members had been killed in the attack, and the third was wounded but still moving under his own power. Attempts to locate and recover the remains of these three patrol members following the attack were unsuccessful.

Private First Class (PFC) Manuel Rameriz Puentes entered the U.S. Army from Texas and served in Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 23rd Infantry (Americal) Division. He was one of the members of this patrol who was killed in the attack, and his remains were never recovered. Following the incident, the Army promoted PFC Puentes to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Today, Staff Sergeant Puentes is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

If you are a family member of this serviceman, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.

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SSG MANUEL RAMERIZ PUENTES

Unit TRP B 1SQD 1 CAV 23 INF DIV (A
Historical Country of Loss
South Vietnam
Current Country of Loss
VIETNAM
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