Memorial Day at the VA: Veteran remembers man who saved his life in Vietnam

Sgt. Carlos Zapata is a name that means a lot to U.S. Army veteran Gus Albritton. His name was on Albritton’s mind as he talked about the sergeant he got to know during his time in Vietnam.

What Albritton is pretty sure of is that his name would be on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. if  not for the man they called “Sgt. Zap,” who was the focus of Albritton’s keynote speech during the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center Memorial Day program held Monday morning. 

“Today is Memorial Day, a day that we remember those brave men and women who gave all their tomorrows so that you and I could have this day,” said Albritton, who had recently retired as a VA volunteer. “I think it is only fitting that we remember such a person who some of you have never heard of, whose name is not in any history book. His picture is not in any museum. This young patriotic American, who was born in the 1920s, lied to get into World War II.”

Zap grew up in south Texas. He would serve during World War II, Korea and Vietnam, picking up Purple Hearts along the way. In 1969, Albritton graduated from high school. The next day, he received his draft notice and he was in Fort Benning near Columbus, Georgia. Albritton eventually made his way to Vietnam where he met Zap.

“When I first saw him, my blood turned cold,” Albritton said. “He had these two little beady eyes that looked like tombstones. He was 5-7, and between 150 and 160 pounds.”

Zap’s message to Albritton was to do what the sergeant said or he would be placed in a body bag. 

“I was afraid of him. I was scared of him,” Albritton said. “Guys told me that (Zap) was not the guy you want to make mad. Not only was I afraid of him, I hated him. He made me do the things that I didn’t want to do.” 

Zap made Albritton walk point, set up an ambush and walk flank.

“I couldn’t stand him,” Albritton said. “The brass did not want Zap in the rear. They left him in the field. When he stayed in the field, we stayed in the field. Over seven months, we were living on the ground, eating out of a can and moving from one area to another. We went over seven months without taking a bath, without brushing our teeth or changing our clothes. We were constantly moving and short on ammo, short on water and short on food. We hardly ever got our mail, but we did what he told us to do.” 

Everyone in Albritton’s unit had at least one Purple Heart. Albritton had three, while Zap, at that time, had five Purple Hearts.

“He was good at what he did,” Albritton said. “He knew infantry and he knew the enemy. He knew what to tell you to do to keep you alive. I didn’t realize it at the time. All I knew is I couldn’t stand him. I didn’t even want to talk to him, but I had to.” 

The day came when Albritton’s tour was completed.

“He told me that was my freedom bird and that I needed to jump on it and get out of there,” Albritton said. “I had made it out alive.” 

A few years later, Albritton was serving as a police officer in Florida when he met a medic he knew from Vietnam.

“It was a pretty good reunion,” Albritton said.

The medic told him that Sgt. Zap had been killed a couple of weeks after Albritton left. Zap had been shot and died after jumping off a helicopter.

“It ended the life of a man who had saved my life at least eight times,” Albritton said. “I didn’t realize that I had a love-hate relationship with this man. Carlos Zapata was the best that the Army could provide for me because he brought me home. I’m amazed at how God puts people in your path. God gave me the best. He gave me a man who knew what he was doing and never told me wrong. 

“He gave all of his tomorrows so that you and I could have this day, and he fought in three wars,” he added. “So today, on Memorial Day, I remember him. Had it not been for him, my name would have been on the black marble wall in Washington, D.C. I would have never volunteered for over 30 years at this hospital. I certainly would not be standing here today. Before I go to sleep at night, I thank God for giving me the best. So I salute Carlos Zapata.”

Frank Jordan, communications director at the VA, said the stories from veterans like Albritton are important.

“As a nation, if we don’t remember our stories about those who sacrificed everything and allowed a young Gus Albritton to return after the war and go on and have a life, we’ll lose it all,” Jordan said. “We’ve got to remember our stories. We’ve got to appreciate those who came before us and come out in force every year to recognize them. Thank you, Gus, for the years you spent here and for your service of this great nation.” 

The Eastman First Baptist Choir sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” before Jordan reminded everyone that approximately 1 million people have died while serving America.

“That is why we do this kind of program,” Jordan said. “I hope everybody is thinking about their sacrifice and patriotism every day. … Just showing up is a sign of patriotism itself. One of the things we are challenged with today in our society is the passing on of our sense of patriotism  to the younger generations. I want to see more children come here and families coming together. I saw a few today. Encourage your family, friends, groups, churches, schools and all of those folks to help us celebrate our veterans.” 

The Eastman First Baptist Choir members sang the national anthem after the Dublin Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Chaplain Donald Retemiah led everyone in the invocation.

“There are people out there in this world, Americans who 24/7, 365 days a year, are on ships and in airplanes defending our rights to allow us to do what we are doing right now,” Jordan said. “In our hallways are heroes who have done this stuff. The stories come from real people doing things.”  

John Compton, U.S. Navy veteran, brought the Memorial Day wreath to the front of the room and saluted it before James Drury, with American Legion Post 17 Padgett Webb, led the Prisoner of War/Missing In Action remembrance followed by a moment of silence. 

Jordan admitted to being a history buff. One of the things that fascinated him was those who were POWs, who came out of it and returned to be stronger. 

“They came home and lived their lives,” Jordan said. “They are heroes to us.” 

Jordan thanked the audience for attending the ceremony. He said it is important for Americans to live their lives to the fullest.

“I want you to go out today and enjoy your Memorial Day,” Jordan said. “I want you to grill and enjoy it. When you have your little ones out there, tell them the story of what it takes to keep this nation free. It is more than just saying the pledge of allegiance once in a while. We have to go out and support our folks (veterans). Every time we meet a veteran, look them in the eye, shake their hand and tell them ‘Thank you for your service.’”