SFC Margarito (Chico) Fernandez, Jr commanded river boat patrols

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                                   Terry McIntosh

SFC Margarito (Chico) Fernandez, Jr commanded river boat patrols out of Team B-41 in
Moc Hoa. I was assigned to B-41 as a radio operator, and eventually served under Chico
on the airboats. It was a dangerous job, but Chico embraced it with strength and dignity.
It mandated that we survey, pull over, and inspect suspicious looking sampans or other
water carriers. In spite of the hostile atmosphere, I never once saw Chico treat potential
enemies as less than human beings. We never talked much, but I observed him. He was
the real deal. By that I mean that he fit the tough, muscular Green Beret image fostered
by hype, but his conduct proved that he was a real man. I left for assignment to the A
team at Thanh Tri in February. Chico was killed in action on March 18, 1969.END.