Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeU.S. Army honors Hawaii heroes

U.S. Army honors Hawaii heroes

By Kristine Uyeno - bio | email

HONOLULU (KHNL) - They served their country more than 40 years ago.

Today, the U.S. Army honored seven men with Hawaii ties, by inducting them into the Army Museum's Gallery of Heroes. There are now 58 people inducted into the gallery.

Fred Maluenda stumbled across the event in the local newspaper.

"And we just when glance and all of a sudden, they honoring, at this ceremony, and my nephew was one of the first ones, and it was kind of shocking," he said.

Shocking, because it had been more than four decades since he talked to his nephew, Robert Maluenda Caliboso.

"He called me up at about 12:30 at night and met him at the airport and that was the last I saw of him. Two weeks later I got another call that he was gone," said Maluenda.

Caliboso had only been in Vietnam for two weeks when he died. His helicopter, shot down by enemy fire.

Linus Gerard Chock also receives recognition. His son, Patrick Minyard, was just a baby when his dad died, more than four decades ago in Vietnam.

"I guess I'm a lot like him, looks and mannerism. One of my other uncles says I'm like a spitting image of him so I hope that's good," said Minyard.

They are memorialized, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross.

"It's a very honorable experience, I'm very excited to be here, I'm really glad that I got a way for a couple of days to come," said Minyard.

It's another chance for friends and family, to give them, a final salute.