Jaime Pacheco was born on March 1, 1952, in Hobbs, New Mexico. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1970 and was trained as a Combat Engineer, Medic, and Ranger. Pacheco was assigned to Ranger Company H, 75th Infantry, in the Republic of Vietnam in October 1971, and he was killed in action on May 25, 1972. Jaime had a wife, Olga, and an 18-month old son, Michael, at the time of his death. He was buried at the Memory Gardens cemetery in Hobbs, New Mexico.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Pacheco distinguished himself on 25 May 1972 while serving as medic on a Ranger Team which was on a reconnaissance mission in Tan Uyen Province, Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Pacheco walked as rear scout for a four man point reconnaissance element when the element discovered an enemy bunker complex. As the first three men of the element exhausted their first magazines, Specialist Pacheco immediately recognized the danger caused by the lull in firing and rushed the bunkers firing his own weapon and throwing fragmentation grenades. As the team withdrew from the bunker complex, he remained in his position and continued to throw a total of twelve fragmentation grenades, covering the team's withdrawal. By holding the enemy at bay his fellow soldiers were able to escape without injury. When he attempted to rejoin his team, he was hit by enemy fire which wounded him fatally. His actions gave the team the precious time they needed to reach safety. Specialist Pacheco's gallantry in action and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.