5 minute read
The Ultimate Sacrifice
By Kenneth Reige USAF Veteran
“The Ultimate Sacrifice” is a term used when someone has given their life in the service of our country. This story is about USMC Sgt. Joseph D. Hurta, who made the ultimate sacrifice on 22 March 1967. I never had the honor of meeting Sgt. Hurta, but these past few weeks I have come to know of him and his family.
Joseph D. Hurta (or Joe Dee as his sister called him) was born on 30 Oct 1940 in Gallup, NM. He enlisted into the Marine Corps on 4 May 1962 and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 1st Battalion/4th Marines B Company. His MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was 0311 which is Marine Corps Rifleman.
This was Sgt. Hurta (then Private Hurta) Marine Corps Boot Camp photo.
Recently I received a call from Mrs. Jerry Lee Zecca (Joe Dee) sister. She was telling me a story about her brother and how she had his Marine Corps Uniform, medals, and other items that she wanted to show me. I was so honored that she wanted to share these items and stories of her brother with me. When Mrs. Zecca arrived, I soon found out that she actually wanted to donate these items to the hotel museum. WOW, I was speechless to say the least. These precious family items are now being presented to me to honor and to keep Sgt. Hurta’s memory alive. This is a responsibility that I did not take lightly. As I visited with Mrs. Zecca you could easily feel the love she has for her brother.
She also shared the story of that terrible day when the news of Joe Dee’s passing. This is a pain that only those who have experienced can fully understand. A few days later Mrs. Zecca came by the hotel and presented me with his military photo album of him and his fellow buddies in Vietnam.
As I have been going through the letters and photo’s I feel I have come to know Sgt. Hurta or Joe Dee and would like to share this story.
Joe Dee loved baseball and played for Gallup High and even tried out for the Pro’s. Joe Dee also coached little league with his friend Emelio Esparza.
After graduation from High School, he got a job as a teller at the First State Bank in Gallup. With the talk of war Joe Dee (like many other young Americans in our country) enlisted in the military with Joe Dee fulfilling his birthright of (as a dear friend shared with me that Marines are not made, they are born) being born a Marine.
By the time that Joe Dee was sent off to Vietnam he was on his 3rd enlistment. Knowing that he would be going to Vietnam, he did so willingly. It was on 22 March 1967 after landing on the beach in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, while leading his squad on a routine patrol to assess the damages done to the enemy by an air strike his patrol was ambushed. Joe Dee immediately deployed his squad against the enemy force and while doing so was KIA (Killed in Action). A memorial Service was held in the field shortly after. Many of his friends attended.
I also came across a letter that was written to Joe Dee and his family from one of his fellow Marines that he served and fought with. His name
is Sgt. Gary L. Hazlett. I would also like to include this letter to let everyone know just how loved Joe Dee was by his fellow Marines.
To: Sgt. Joseph Hurta, Hey old buddy, “Hi-Do-Zo”, It’s just me, I know you are OK because you are in Heaven. I know this because you have already spent your time in Hell.
I miss you, your laughter, and the friendship we shared. Your presence is still felt daily by everyone who loved and still loves you.
It only seems like yesterday that we were in the Philippines and heard that “Hi-Do-Zo” come out of the night in a crowd of Marines, and to my surprise it was you.
Thank you for all the great times we shared over a cold beer or 2. Thank you for being my friend, and most of all; Thank You for being an Outstanding Marine. You are not forgotten; you are a Hero and it’s Marines like you that keep the proud tradition of the Corps alive and well.
Joe, we shared the same barracks in Okinawa, and I look forward to sharing the same Marine Barracks in Heaven when it’s time for me to be called home. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
“OORAH and Semper Fi Marine”
Sgt Joseph D. Hurta was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park here in Gallup. He is immortalized on the Vietnam Memorial Wall on Panel 17E Line 20.
Here is the display of some of the items donated by Joe Dee’s sister Mrs. Jerry Lee Zecca honoring this great American Hero and son of Gallup who gave his “Last Full Measure” for our freedom. Thank You Sgt. Hurta for your service and sacrifice to our great country. You will never be forgotten as your memory will be shared and kept alive by those who knew you and all of us who are now living under the blanket of freedom you helped provide.
