Say His Name to Remember: Sgt. Salvatore Guarino

Sgt. Salvatore Guarino received his basic training at Parris Island, SC, and was stationed with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune for two years. After completing special warfare training in Spain, he was ordered to Camp Pendleton before arriving in Vietnam on March 20, 1966. He was assigned to 2nd Platoon, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, where he attained the rank of Sergeant (SGT).

Sgt. Guarino was killed in action on September 23, 1966, from gunshot wounds to the left side of his chest. While patrolling the DMZ in Quang Tri Province, he was fatally wounded as he attempted to rescue a fellow Marine from hostile fire.  Sal sacrificed his life for a fellow Marine during a firefight in the DMZ when they were attacked by a sniper from the treeline. When one of his men was hit, Sal dove on top of him to shield him from the sniper’s view.  At that moment, the sniper shot Sgt. Guarino, and he died instantly from the gunshot.

He died just one week before his 24th birthday.