Plácido Salazar (born in 1939) is an American singer-songwriter, radio personality, and a retired United States Air Force airman and a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions during the Vietnam War.
Salazar began performing at talent shows across the Rio Grande Valley as a young child and released his debut single around 1947 backed by Pedro Ayala on Discos Del Valle.
Enlisting in the Air Force in 1956, Salazar volunteered for deployment to Vietnam from August to November 1965, serving with the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.
Amid intense combat, he rescued two wounded officers, secured classified materials, and was deeply affected after discovering the remains of two children during the attack.
Salazar began singing at talent shows across the Rio Grande Valley and won first place at each occurrence, winning $10 (1939 USD) as a prize.
Salazar volunteered for deployment to Vietnam and served at Bien Hoa Air Base from August to November 1965.
Regaining consciousness, he completed the rescue and secured classified materials before encountering a silhouetted figure wearing a traditional Vietnamese nón lá.
During his time in the Air Force, Salazar suffered from severe back and neck pain and mysterious skin patterns appeared on his hands, arms, and shoulders.
[3] In March 2008, Salazar was caught on live TV confronting then-presidential candidate Barack Obama on the need to build a veterans' hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.
"[2] Salazar has since dedicated himself to supporting fellow veterans, citing the camaraderie of military service and the values he instilled during his upbringing in La Villa, Texas.