Luis Fernando Palacios

      Luis Fernando Palacios was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Luis will be remembered as an outstanding individual.

       He was the son of Pete and Felicitas L. Palacios. Luis grew up in Los Angeles, California.

      Luis was raised with six siblings. He had three older brothers; Pete, Mario, and Richard, one younger sister Yolanda, and two older sisters Martha and Virginia. Luis was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

   Luis attended Fremont High School in as a teenager. Luis did not get the opportunity to finish high school. Instead he felt the call to serve his county and with the approval of his parents enlisted in the Marine Corp.

      Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, Luis enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. Luis' best friends were Richard Camacho, Catarino Morales, and Ralph Harper.

      Luis was an US Marine 81mm assistant gunner. He was in the 1st BN, 4th Marines. Luis saw action during the Vietnam War. Through his hard work, he achieved the rank of L/Cpl. He received several awards recognizing him for his service, including a Purple Heart. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

      Luis passed away on June 6, 1968 at Quang-Tri Province, Vietnam. Luis' helicopter was shot down by enemy small arms fire. Luis was on a mission to stop troops and supplies from infiltrating toward Khe Sanh Province, South Vietnam. His helicopter came under attack by intense and accurate enemy ground fire. The helicopter crashed, and though some survived Luis was among those who lost their lives. Luis was classified as missing in action until recently. An excavation of the crash site was recently undertaken and his remain were recovered. He is now being sent home so his family can lay him to rest. He is survived by brothers Richard and Pete, and sisters, Martha, Virginia, and Yolanda. Services were held at Holy Family Church in Artesia, California. Luis was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California.

      Simply stated, Luis was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Luis Fernando Palacios.