Hero Square Dedication Monek Weitz

Private Monek Weitz grew up on Weld Avenue in Egleston Square with his parents Kopel and Babbette and siblings Leon and Rosa. Monek graduated from Hyde Park High School in May of 1968 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June of 1968. Monek graduated from boot camp at Parris Island on August 31, 1968. His first duty station was in California before being deployed to Vietnam. Private Wetz was a member of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Division. On May 25, 1969, a pallet of 18MM mortar ammunition caught fire at a supply area near Quang Tri, Vietnam. Monek rushed to extinguish the burning ammunition pallet and was one of two Marines who could not be found after it exploded. The force of the blast made recovery of his remains impossible.

Private Wetz is memorialized on the Courts of the missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., his name is inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 24w, Line 108. Private Monek was awarded the Purple Heart. Monek was survived by his parents and two siblings.