Medal of Honor recipient Col. Jay Vargas recently spoke with students, teachers, administrators, and elected officials at Golden Valley High School about his combat experience.

Born in Winslow, Navajo County, Arizona, Vargas had a failed attempt to make it as a big-league baseball player and neglected his thought of becoming a priest.

“I went home devastated, I thought it was the end of the world,” Vargas said.

Col. Jay Vargas, the son of immigrants, had two older brothers who fought in World War II.

He made the next decision that made sense to him and joined the Marines instead.

In April 1968, Vargas and his unit were positioned in a zone separating north and south Vietnam where they were attacked by many rounds of artillery. Surprisingly, everyone made it out alive.

The next days to come were also filled with violent attacks.

Vargas and his unit were found taking cover in a cemetery of the village of Dai Do in Vietnam where they made the decision to dig up fresh graves, toss the bodies out and take cover in the graves.

https://vimeo.com/128250639

One of Vargas’ accomplishments during battle included picking up a wounded soldier who had lost his arm. The soldier asked Vargas to go back for his arm, and he did.

“A lot of sacrifices were made,” Vargas said.

Vargas received the Medal of Honor for risking his life “above and beyond the call of duty” while serving as commanding officer for Company G against enemy forces from April 30 to May 2, 1968, according to the Medal of Honor Foundation.

Vargas kept his unit safe and encouraged them, although he was wounded during battle.

He was part of Division Company G, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines and 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade.

Photo Courtesy of The United States Navy Memorial

His gallant actions uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service, which assisted in receiving the Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon in 1970, according to the foundation.

Vargas now speaks to veterans and youth from all around the nation, encouraging them to seek help when adjusting to life after combat, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“For me, it took a while to realize that I came home with a problem like many of the guys who were in combat,” Vargas said.

After going deer hunting with his brothers, he realized he couldn’t shoot and they noticed he couldn’t pull the trigger.

His older brother acknowledged his problem, what was known as combat fatigue at the time, which is now recognized as PTSD.

Vargas’ brother took him to see a shaman, a medicine man, where he spent four days in sweat lodges performing successful cleanses.

“To those of you who are suffering from post-traumatic stress or are considering suicide, please come forward and seek help,” Vargas said. “Don’t ever consider suicide, God gave you a life and you only get it once.”

Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:

• 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
• 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
• 661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project
• 661-263-9371 for Straightening Reins, equine therapy

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for KHTS email and text alerts today!