Cbulchatscbinow's father was born in the Soviet Union and fled to Germany, where Walerija was born. The family came to the United States in 1951 and, as Buddhists, lived in the Kalmuck colony in Philadelphia. Chulchatschinow was descended from Geughis Khan and was described by his parents as a very proud soldier who hoped to attend technica! school when he returned home. He enlisted in the Army in December 1965 and served as an assistant gunner, ammunition bearer, indirect fire crewman and assistant squad leader in Vietnam with Company A of the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Air. borne Division. The sergeant was killed the day before Christmas Day 1967 when he stepped on a land mine. He would have been 20 years old in six days.