Panel 23 East, Row 68 Is the location of the name Juan Jose Botello on the Vietnam Memorial. He was the best trumpet player you never heard.
Growing up in O'Donnell, Texas set him up for a bit of a name change. He was Johnny Joe to all of us.
JUAN JOSE BOTELLO, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, USMC, O'DONNELL, DAWSON, TEXAS
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal.
BIOGRAPHY
Juan was born in Laredo, Webb County, Texas. He was the fourth child of five born to Angelina Garcia and Gonzalo Botello, Sr. The extended family moved to O'Donnell in 1948 and Mr. Botello was employed at a cotton gin. Juan was known as Johnny and he was raised in the small rural community north of Lamesa. Juan attended O'Donnell schools from the first until graduation in May 1965.. While at O'Donnell High School, he was very popular and was prominent in the high school band with his trumpet playing ability. According to his cousin, Joanne Barrera of Lamesa, and a former classmate, " I grew up with Johnny and we were in the same class. We lived next door and he was mild mannered, easy going, and kind hearted. He wanted to be a Marine."
O'Donnell High School, Class of 1965
After high school, Johnny moved to Lubbock and he worked for Gibson's Discount Centers hoping to save his money and enroll at Texas Tech at a later date. In November 1966, he enlisted in the Marine Corp. He completed his boot camp at the San Diego Recruit Training Depot and ITR at Camp Pendleton, California. He received additional advanced training in larger assault weapons. He came home on leave in March 1967 and then started his tour in Vietnam in April 1967 and was assigned to Weapons Plat (81S), Headquarters and Amphibious Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
Camp Pendleton, California-Spring 1967
In his last letter written to his parents, he stated his buddy had been killed and they were headed on a dangerous mission. He was killed on July 14, 1967 by a booby trap while on patrol. He had been awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device for a previous action.
He was buried with full military honors in the Peaceful Garden's Memorial Park Cemetery near Lubbock, Texas.
Johnny Joe died a Marine but he wanted to be a trumpet player. I am grateful for his service, saddened by his loss and angered by our inability to stop senseless violence. We fought in Viet Nam to stop Communism. Viet Nam today is one of the world's few remaining Communist countries. Senseless loss.
