..Special
Announcements...
..Special
Announcements...
Chief Warrent officer Pastor Figueroa Rodriguez
Aug 6, 1897 - Aug 22, 1979
C.W.O Pastor Figueroa Rodriguez #355390, son of Evaristo Figueroa and Julia Rodriguez was born on August 6, 1897 in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. He enrolled in the U.S. Army at eighteen on August 3, 1916 and served in the United States Military Service for more than 29 years. He was active in both World Wars and the Korean War. His decorations include the American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service Clasp, the American theater Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, World War I Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Medal and two Bronze Stars. Pastor Figueroa Rodriguez also served in the Army Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant. Pastor Figueroa Rodriguez worked for a number of years in the Finance Department at Ramey Base, he earned a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico and was about to get his CPA when he passed away at the age of 82.
This information along with the photographs, was submitted to this site by his grand daughter Myrna Ivy Figueroa Colon. Please click on name to see photos. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Aladino Quiles Rivera
1933 - 1994
Aladino Quiles Rivera was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico, on November 17, 1933. He was the son of Praxedes Rivera and Francisco Quiles. He was the second of three children. He had an older brother Francisco “Pepin”, and a younger sister Minerva. He was very active and adventurous, and when Pepin joined the Army (33rd Infantry), he saw this as a good way to see the world too.
Aladino enlisted in the Army on October 9, 1951. He was 17 years old. His military life gave him what he wanted. He traveled to New York, and trained at Fort Dix. He returned to Puerto Rico and was stationed out of Fort Buchanan. He later traveled to Germany, Hawaii, and Japan.
He was assigned to Company A, of the 65th Infantry Regiment. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and became an excellent marksman with the M1 Springfield rifle. He was a member of a light weapons assault unit. His combat experience took him to North and South Korea. On February 22, 1953 his squad came under attack by mortar fire. Aladino sustained fragment related injuries to the face, arms, back, abdomen and legs. After surgery, Aladino recuperated for approximately three months and returned to duty. He was awarded the Purple Heart. His other awards and citations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The National Defense Service Medal, The Korean Service Medal, The United Nations service medal, The Republic of Korea War service medal and the Presidential Unit Citation pin.
Aladino had relatives in Dorado, and in his visits he met Sylvia Martinez-Ortiz, whom he married, and with whom he had two children. After his discharge from the Army he lived in New York. He retired in 1983 and returned to Puerto Rico. He enjoyed his life, his family, his grandchildren, and playing his guitar.
He died on March 7, 1994. Although he was quite a talker and story teller he rarely spoke of Korea.
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PFC Andres Gines Osorio
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Sept. 28, 2000
Los Angeles Times Horacio "Rivets" Rivero, the Navy's first four-star admiral of Latino descent and the U.S. ambassador to Spain during the waning years of Francisco Franco's regime, has died. He was 90. Rivero died Sunday at his home in Coronado, Calif. A fourth star was pinned on Rivero's shoulder board in 1964, making him the first Latino to reach that rank. The first Latino admiral in the U.S. Navy was David G. Farragut, who uttered the immortal line, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" Farragut, the son of an immigrant from Spain, became an admiral in 1866. Growing up surrounded by water in his native Puerto Rico, Rivero always longed to go into the Navy. He won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1927. Graduating in 1931,
third in his class of 441, Rivero became a specialist in ordnance engineering and, later, nuclear weapons. During World War II, he was a gunnery officer aboard the cruisers USS San Juan and USS Pittsburgh in the Pacific theater, earning a ! Bronze Star. In the Korean War, he commanded the amphibious transport USS Noble. By the time of the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962, he was commander of amphibious forces for the Atlantic Fleet. As a nuclear weapons expert, Rivero was privy to the Manhattan Project. After the war, he worked on atomic bomb tests on the Pacific islands of Bikini and Eniwetok. From 1961 to 1968, Rivero was vice chief of naval operations, the Navy's second-ranking post. He spent his last four years in uniform as commander of Allied Forces in Southern Europe for NATO. He was later appointed U.S. ambassador to Spain, and served for two years. In retirement, Rivero served as an adviser to the chief of naval operations, the Naval Academy, and the Naval War College.
10/02/2000
Benigno Carreras, 72, of Bethlehem, died Saturday, Sept. 30, in the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice of St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill. He was the husband of Josephine (Czar) Carreras.
He was a logistics coordinator at the Lehigh Valley Postal Service facility before retiring in 1988.
He was a graduate of the New York Institute of Radio and Television. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was a son of the late Benigno and Alice (Galindo) Carreras. He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Bethlehem area Men Of Retirement Age Club and the Hellertown American Legion Post 397. Survivors: Wife; sons, Steven of Florence, S.C., Benigno of Commack, N.Y., Kenneth; daughters, Cathleen Baker of Glenside, Montgomery County, Cynthia Perez of Bethlehem, Sonia Rivera of Ridgefield, N.J.; brothers, John of Orlando, Fla., Peter of
Mission Viejo, Calif.; sisters, Anna Mercado of West Hempstead, N.Y., Eugenia Diaz; 13 grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday and 8:45-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, both in the Snyder-Hinkle Funeral Home, 527 Center St., Bethlehem.
Contributions: VNA Hospice.
10/12/2000
San Antonio Express-News
Mr. Willie Robledo Salazar, born July 17, 1931, went to be with Lord on Wednesday, October 11, 2000 at the age of 69. Willie Salazar served in the U.S. Army for two years. He was a veteran of the Korean War, an active citizen of his community, and the President of the Palm Heights Normyle Little League Baseball. He was employed at Alamo Heights High School for over10 years where he retired. He was a devoted husband and very supportive father, he always was there to lend a helping hand to those in need. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Romanita G. Salazar; children, Willie Salazar Jr., Wilbert Salazar, Roland Salazar, Robert Salazar, Terry S. Arguello, Juan Salazar, Rudy Salazar, Rick Salazar and Ray Salazar; sisters, Vidala S. Markovic and Lina Salazar; 22 Grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; eight daughters-in-law and one son-in-law; aunt, Carmen Robledo. A Rosary will be recited Friday, 7:00 P.M. at the Trevino Funeral Home. Procession will depart Saturday, 10:00 A.M. for a 10:30 A.M. Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow in San Fernando Cemetery No. 2 under the
direction of Trevino Funeral Home.
GARCIA, JOHN MORGAN, 73, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Tampa, died Friday (Oct. 13, 2000) at St. Petersburg General Hospital. He came here 67 years ago from his native Tampa. He was a graduate of St. Petersburg High School and was part of the first male class to attend Florida State University. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He worked for
several electronics firms, including Tipton's TV & Electronics, before opening Garcia TV Sales and Service in St. Petersburg in 1960. He sponsored numerous Little League baseball teams and enjoyed camping with his family. He was an electronics instructor at Pinellas Vocational Technical Institute beginning in the mid-70s, retiring in 1989. He was editor of the Printed Board, a newsletter of the Television Service Dealers Association, and was president of the South Pinellas County Retired Educators Association. He and his wife received the award for Volunteers of 1999-2000 from the association. He was a delegate to the state and national conventions of the National Education Association for more than 20 years. He was a model train hobbyist. He was a
member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; three sons, Richard, St. Petersburg, John Jr., Cool, Calif., and Robert, Glen Cove, N.Y.; a daughter, Lisa Gussler, St. Petersburg; a sister, Elsie May, Palm Harbor; and six grandchildren. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Bobbitt Chapel, St. Petersburg.
Source: Tampa Tribune ( Tuesday, October 17, 2000 )
MERCADO, James, 76, of Tampa, died Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital. Survived by his wife, Norma Mercado, four sons, James Mercado, Jr., Shermansdale, PA., Manuel E. Mercado, Tampa, Jody F. Mercado, Harrisburg, PA. and Remy Mercado, Tampa, 7 brothers, 4 sisters, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchildren. Born in Rincon, Puerto Rico, Mr. Mercado had been a resident of Tampa since 1969. He was a veteran of the US Army during WWII and was a general manger of a merchandise company. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Kent Riner of Peninsular Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to a charity of your choice.
Source: Star Ledger ( Friday, October 20, 2000 )
Luis Rodriguez, 87, of Lincoln Park died yesterday at home. Arrangements are by the Keri Memorial Funeral Home, Lincoln Park. Mr. Rodriguez was a draftsman at Howard, Needles, Tamman and Bergendorf Engineering, Fairfield, for 40 years before retiring two years ago.
He served in the Navy during World War II in the Seabees. Born in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, Mr. Rodriguez lived in New York City before moving to Lincoln Park in 1964. Surviving are his wife, Lena; a son, Jose; a daughter, Mrs. Yvonne Calderon; a brother, Efrain; a sister, Mrs. Carlota DeArteaga; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Source: Star Ledger ( Friday, October 20, 2000 )
Washington Post, Friday, December 29, 2000
Ramon Semidey-Soto
Ramon Semidey-Soto once told his brother that if he had to live his life over, he wouldn't change a thing. Twenty-eight years in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer, serving in World War II, the Korean War and three tours in Vietnam. Twenty-two years as a custodian at the Episcopal seminary and a church in Alexandria after his military career. His brief 1950s courtship of Camelia, the pretty girl who lived across the street from his mother in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and the couple's sudden decision to marry when Ramon was on leave in 1955. Their nine children, plus "strays" he often invited home -- mostly young Puerto Rican soldiers at Fort Belvoir, homesick for homemade rice and beans. A fierce devotion to family: Any party that did not include the kids was not for him. His old-fashioned ways: no dating or makeup for his daughters.
His ancestral pride: Every year, the family attended the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. His corny humor: "I! 'm full," one of the kids might say at dinner. "Glad to meet you 'Full,' " he would reply. "I'm Ramon." "He was a happy person," his brother, Jose, summed up.
Ramon left school after eighth grade to help support his family. He cut sugar cane, picked coffee beans, worked as a carpenter's helper and clerked in a food store. When the Army got its hands on him in May 1942, he was 20 years old and weighed 111 pounds. He sent his Army paychecks home to his mother. After his 1945 discharge, he took up cabinet-making. But that changed in 1951, when his brother Pedro was killed in Korea. "It made him angry," recalled Jose. "He felt responsible because . . . he thought he was supposed to be there." Over their grieving mother's objections, Ramon reenlisted, making the Army his career. He eventually obtained his high school equivalency diploma, completed various military training courses and worked his way up the ranks to sergeant first class. In 1968, the family moved to Alexandria after Ramon got a teaching position at Fort Belvoir's combat engineering school. He retired at age 55 with a dozen medals and citations. Not one to sit around, Ramon took a custodial job at Virginia Theological Seminary and later became sexton at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, both in Alexandria.
"He was wonderful to be around. And he did his job better than anybody should have a right to expect," said the Rev. James Green, the church's retired rector. "I don't think he would have recognized the word 'menial.' " Ramon's daughter Carmen Bishop said her father "was afraid to retire, because he thought he would die." He finally did quit, though, in 1995. Then 74, he and Camelia began traveling. But just two years later, his health began to fail. First it was cataracts, then cancer of the prostate and colon. He died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Jan. 13. He was 78. For the wake, his family displayed his Army medals and draped his casket with the American flag. Their request for a military funeral was denied, the mortuary was told, because the burial was Jan. 17, a federal holiday. The news disappointed, even angered, his widow and children. "That's something he would have liked," said Carmen. Besides, added daughter Elvira Urrutia, "He deserved it."
-- Sylvia Moreno
Published in the Home News Tribune 1/5/01
Michael J. Cordero Sr., 79, of Woodbridge died Wednesday at home. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had lived in Woodbridge the past 40 years. He was employed for 33 years as a tractor-trailer operator with Bil-Kay's Express in Elizabeth before retiring in 1984. He was a member of Teamsters Union Local 407 in Newark, and Teamsters Union Local 807 in Elizabeth. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He served with the 82nd Airborne and the 106th Airborne units as an infantry soldier as well as a tank-destroyer crew chief, and in the 706th Tanker Division under General George Patton. He participated in battles at the Rhineland Bridge, and in Normandy and Bastogne, including the Battle of the Bulge. He was a communicant of St. James R.C. Church of Woodbridge. He is survived by his wife, the former Nena Cassano; three sons, Michael Jr. of Sparta, N.J., Gary of Carteret and Ronald Sr. of Edison; a sister, Rose Catalana of Howard Beach, N.Y.; a brother, Frank Cordero of Clearwater, Fla., and five grandchildren, Ronald Jr., Brian, Thomas, Jennifer and Jaclyn. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Leon J. Gerity Funeral Home, 411 Amboy Ave., Woodbridge, followed by an 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. James R.C. Church in Woodbridge. Entombment will follow at St. James Mausoleum, Woodbridge. Visiting will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Donations in his memory can be made to St. James R.C. Church of Woodbridge.
Colonel (Retired) Howard Bertolet St. Clair
West Point Class of 1939
(Cadet Number 11619)
Colonel (Retired) Howard Bertolet St. Clair passed away of natural causes on July 2, 2003 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was 87 years old. He was born on June 11, 1916 in War, West Virginia to Will and Ethel Dixon St. Clair. His military career spanned thirty years and included service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Howard St. Clair entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1935 after one year at Marshal College in West Virginia. According to a classmate, St. Clair “ran afoul of the academics Plebe year, fought the usual battle, won, and hasn't worried since about the Academic Department.” A natural athlete “Saint” devoted himself to track and cross country and was a pistol sharpshooter. He also taught Sunday school for three years. He graduated on June 12, 1939, as the clouds of war were gathering over Europe. The graduation speaker was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. St. Clair served as the G2 (Intelligence Officer) of the 99th Infantry Division during World War II in the European Theater of Operations. Arriving in Le Havre, France on November 3, 1944, the division saw bitter fighting during the Battle of the Bulge and at the Ruhr pocket and suffered some 6,100 battle casualties, including almost 1,100 killed in action. After the war he served with the 15th Armored Division and then in the War Department General Staff. In 1949 he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, stationed at Losey Field in Puerto Rico. The unit was the Regular Army’s only all-Hispanic infantry regiment. St. Clair’s battalion played a major role in the 65th Infantry’s stubborn defense of Vieques Island during the Puerto Rico Exercises (PORTREX) of 1950. PORTREX was the American military’s largest joint, amphibious, and airborne maneuvers in history. The regiment’s defense of the island against the soldiers of the 3d Infantry Division and a battalion of paratroopers from the Army’s elite 82d Airborne Division received wide publicity and garnered the praises of the nation’s senior civilian and military leadership, which was instrumental in the decision to send the 65th Infantry to Korea following the outbreak of war there in June 1950. Deploying in August aboard the United States Troop Ship Marine Lynx, St. Clair’s 1st Battalion arrived in Korea in September and spearheaded the regiment’s drive north as part of first the 2nd Infantry and then the 25th Infantry Divisions. In October the 65th Infantry finally joined the 3d Infantry Division, the regiment’s parent unit for the duration of the war. Colonel St. Clair’s raw courage in combat served his battalion well. In November 1950, after one of his companies had been attacked and surrounded by Chinese Communist Forces, he fought his way to the isolated unit and, with utter disregard for his own safety, organized a defense under fire, ensuring the survival of his men pending the arrival of reinforcements. And during the Spring of 1951, after elements of his battalion were surprised and almost overwhelmed by a large enemy force, he again moved to the forefront of the fighting, crossing bullet-swept terrain many times to direct a successful defense and call in supporting fires. While his men repulsed an attacking Chinese regiment, inflicting staggering losses on the enemy, Colonel St. Clair moved “fearlessly about the embattled perimeter urging his battle weary troops to stand firm.” While in command of the 1st Battalion in Korea, Colonel St. Clair was decorated with two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star Medal, and an Air Medal. His performance had been noted by General Matthew B. Ridgway, the Eighth Army Commander, who personally selected St. Clair for regimental command later in his career. Upon the completion of his tour of duty as a battalion commander, Colonel St. Clair was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Field Forces at Fort Monroe, Virginia. This was followed by a tour with the National Security Agency in Maryland from 1955 to 1957. In 1957 he took command of the 28th Infantry Regiment, then stationed in Germany. At the time the regiment had one Battle Group attached to the 8th Infantry Division and a second attached to the 1st Infantry Division. Colonel St. Clair went on to serve with Special Operations Forces in Europe and in 1960 he became the VII Corps G3 (Operations Officer). From 1962 to 1965 he served on the Staff and Faculty of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. This was followed by a tour as the Republic of Vietnam’s I Corps Senior U.S. Adviser, responsible for the U.S. military advisory effort in the country’s five northern provinces. In 1966 Colonel St. Clair joined the staff of U.S. Strike Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. He retired in 1969 after three wars and thirty years of distinguished service.
Colonel St. Clair’s awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge with Star and Wreath, two Silver Star and two Bronze Star Medals for valor, the Legion of Merit, six Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and three Commendation Medals.
Howard St. Clair spent most of his retirement in Columbia, SC. He was devoted to his children, West Point, the Army, and his home and family in West Virginia. Those close to him knew that his gruff demeanor belied a sensitive and caring soul. He is survived by his brother Sam, children Diane, Michael, and Steven, and his grandchildren Michael, Jennifer, Stephanie, Daniel, Nicholas, and Christopher – to whom he was the Grand Colonel. His devotion to his country, sense of duty and honor, and love of friends and family will always be with us.
A memorial service with full military honors will be held on Friday, September 12, 2003 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.
Colonel Gilberto Villahermosa
Cpl. Ramiro Rivera Martinez. died on February 27, 2004. He fought in the Korean War from 1951-53 with the 65th Inf. Regt, M Company. Photographs of Cpl. Ramiro Rivera Martinez can be seen at
http://www.valerosos.com/65th-infantry-regiment2/65th-infantry-regiment-46-58/index.html
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Ruben Santiago Cabrera died on April 20, 2004. PFC Ruben Santiago Cabrera served with Company D, 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star
for Valor on December 22, 1950. Ruben Santiago Cabrera was also a veteran of the Vietnam War. I was informed of his passing by his daughter Hilda Eickenhorst.
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My Father, SSG Nestor D. Ramirez, a career soldier and a native of Maricao, PR served with the 65th Inf. Regt.(H Co.)during WW2 and Korea. Dad passed away on Nov.2, 2004. I am very proud to be his son. He is buried with my mother, Irma Ramirez, at Arlington National Cemetery. Thank you for honoring all 65th veterans!!
COL Nestor D. Ramirez, Jr., JAGC-USAR
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“Mario E. Villamarzo, a 33 year World War II US Army veteran and father of 4 died on Tuesday, 04 January 2005. A resident of Sierra Vista for the past 8 years, he was born in the family home in Ponce, PR, on 24 January 1916. One of 10 children of a Spanish immigrant father José Villamarzo Lledín and a Puerto Rican mother América López Pagán, he was 88 years old. He died at home with his eldest daughter, Gloria. In the beginning of his long Army career he served with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard in the early 1940s, later during WWII as a member of the 65th Infantry Regiment he served in North Africa, France and ultimately in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. After the War he served at various posts in the Panama Canal Zone, the Continental United States and in West Germany. Captain Mario E. Villamarzo retired in January 1971. I was informed of his passing by his daughter Gloria Dueltgen.”
Letters from Captain Mario E. Villamarzo to his daughter Gloria by v-mail. At the time Captain Mario E. Villamarzo was in Europe with the 65th, Gloria was 2 years old. V, or Victory mail, was the process of microfilming letters written by soldiers during W.W. II. For additional information about the process, which was an English idea to save cargo space when delivering mail, visit the National Postal Museum, a Smithsonian Institution museum, located in the old Post Office building next to Union Station in Washington, D.C., the link to their web site is - National Postal Museum
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These two photos of a combat helmet of W.W.II vintage was submitted to this site by Jean-Loup Gassend. Below is a short paragraph explaining how the helmet came into his possession.
In 2003 I decided to go and visit Col de Bross, near Sospel, a mountain pass in southern France that the 517th parachutist regimental combat team had trouble capturing in September 1944. I went into the local bar to ask the owners if ever people ever found any relics on the battle field. It just happened to be that the owner had recently found this helmet stuck in the branches of a tree way down in a lost valley, near Peira Cava, about 20 km away from col de Bross. He accepted to exchange the helmet for a "Pastis" (a famous alcohol from Provence) pitcher, that he then added to his pitcher collection. The helmet has remnants of camouflage on it, particularly visible on the front left side as a black streak. That, and the fact it was discovered in Peira Cava made it very probable that this was a helmet from the 517th prct. But there was also a Malta cross and what appeared to be the number 69 engraved on the front of the helmet, the meaning of which remained a mystery to me. It was only in 2005, with precious help from an internet forum, that I discovered that the Malta cross was the insignia of the Puerto Rican volunteer 65th Infantry regiment, who arrived in southern France in September 1944, and were then sent to... Peira Cava. All the chips fell into place. It is surprising to see that there is camouflage paint on what is only an Infantry helmet. The soldier who wore this helmet must have been proud to be a Puerto Rican volunteer, since he took time to engrave the units insignia into the paint, which was not common practice in the US army.
Jean-Loup Gassend_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NOV 3, 2005, NYC CITY HALL, PROCLAMATION PRESENTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
TO THE 65TH HONOR TASK FORCE, 65TH VETERANS, NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN,
ADAM CLAYTON POWELL IV, CHAIRMAN 65TH HONOR TASK FORCE, ANTHONY MELE'.
CHAIRMAN 65TH HONOR TASK FORCE, ANTHONY MELE'
NOV. 7. 2005, HONOR Y VALOR, PRESENTATION AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY,
BOSTON, MASSSPEAKERS, ANTHONY MELE, CHAIRMAN, 65TH HONOR TASK
FORCE VIVIEAN ROMAN, LATINA WOMEN IN THE MILITARY, TONY MOLINA,
FIRST LATINO PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT OF THE VIETNAM WAR
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Carlos Manuel Gonzalez Cottes
Nov. 20, 1927 - April 11, 2006
Carlos Manuel Gonzalez Cottes, 78, of Sierra Vista, Ariz, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center. He had been an area resident for seven years.
Carlos was born Nov. 20, 1927, in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, to Gerardo and Maria Cottes Gonzalez. Carlos served in the U.S. Army, where he retired after 20 years, in 1967 as a Staff Sergeant. He was very proud to serve his country during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Carlos loved to watch CNN. His greatest pleasure was listening to music and dancing or telling jokes. Toward the end of his life, what he enjoyed the most was collecting pictures of his family, especially his grandkids and great grandkids.
Carlos is survived by his wife of 58years, Hilda E. Gonzalez, seven children; Raquel, Nydia, Elena, Carlos, Manuel, Myriam and Clara Gonzalez, his sister, Amalia Gonzalez, ten grandchildren; Manuel Jr., Marie, David, Nicholas, Nelson, Tanisha, Raquel, Charles, Bianca and Daniela, and four great grandchildren; Gabriel, Taina, Sophia and JJ.
A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 13, 2006, at the Hatfield Funeral Home, 830 S. Highway 92, Sierra Vista. Funeral services will begin at noon. Interment with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2006, at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Hatfield Funeral Home.
Sierra Vista Herald - Editorial, Advertising, Business and Circulation offices: 102 Fab Avenue, Sierra Vista AZ 85635 and 12 Main Street, Bisbee AZ 85603
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First Sergeant Bobby Mendez
Sept 18, 1967 — April 27, 2006
First Sgt. Bobby Mendez, 38, was killed in Baghdad on Thursday, April 27, 2006, while serving with the 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.
Bobby was born Sept. 18, 1967, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Gladys Arce and Amado Mendez. He served in the U.S. Army for 19 years.
Bobby married Jennifer on Oct. 16, 1989, in Brooklyn, N.Y.
After traveling extensively with the Army, including a tour in Desert Storm and Korea, the Mendez family transferred to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., in June 1997 and have established a home in Arizona ever since.
While stationed at Fort Huachuca, Bobby was an instructor at the NCO Academy and was active in the community by coaching little league baseball and soccer. And, staying true to his roots, he was an avid Yankees and Giants fan.
Bobby was assigned to 4th ID in Fort Hood, Texas, in January 2002 and deployed to Iraq in April 2003. After safely returning to Fort Hood in March 2004, Bobby was again deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2005 where he was killed when his convoy intercepted an improvised explosive device (IED).
Bobby is survived by his wife of 16 years, Jennifer; three children, Thyiena, 13, Quentin, 12 and Chyanne, 7; parents Gladys Arce and Amado Mendez (Noemi); sisters Ivette and Joan; brothers Steven (Theresa) and New York Police Officer Richard (Miriam); nieces Melissa, Victoria and Daphne and nephews Casey and James.
Bobby died doing what he loved. He was a soldier to his core. He served his country with pride and honor and was the personification of the Army Core Values. Bobby was funny, loyal and extremely intelligent. His family and friends are very proud of him and his service to his country. No one was more professional than First Sgt. Mendez. He was and will always be a non-commissioned officer, a leader of soldiers. He had so much life left to live, this is a monumental loss to the family and the US Army and he will be greatly missed.
The viewing will be held Sunday, May 7, 2006, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hatfield Funeral Home, 830 S. Highway 92. Funeral Services will be held May 8, 2006, at 9 a.m. at Main Post Chapel on Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Military honors will follow at Post Cemetery on Fort Huachuca.
Arrangements are with Hatfield Funeral Home.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Francisco Alicea (President, 65th Retired Association) receives a
Proclamation from Anthony Mele (Chairman, 65th Honor Task Force)
signed by the NYC Council on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary.
BG Antonio Rodriquez-Balinas, highly decorated 65th Veteran looks on.
May 07, 2006
BG Antonio Rodriquez-Balinas awards Mr. Anthony Mele, Chairman 65th Honor Task
Force with a plaque in recognition of his leadership and dedication for organizingceremonies honoring the 65th at Arlington National Cemetery, El Morro, San Juan,
Puerto Rico and Fort Logan National Cemetery, during the 50th Anniversary of the
Korean War. May 7, 2006
Members of the 65th Retired Association in Puerto Rico. Jump Master Velgarra
68 years old (camoflouge) just returned from a parachute jump in St. Thomas.
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October 13, 2006
Major (Ret.) Luis Raul Rodriguez passed away this October 11, 2006, he is survived by his wife Nereida, two daughters, and a son. Major (Ret.) Luis Raul Rodriguez served with the 65th Infantry Regiment in Company F during the Korean War.
The viewing will be held today at the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery today October 13, 2006.Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery6411 Parker AvenueWest Palm Beach, FL 33405(561) 582-4131This information was provided by Ruben R. Laureano Diaz.
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This is a recent photograph of Bronze Star recipient Angel D. Normandia Cintron with his great grandson Jose Andres. The photograph was taken at Puerto Nuevo Beach, Vega Baja. A few days ago one of his grandsons, Juan B. Cosme Normandia, was ascended to lieutenant colonel, his family is very proud of him too. Angel D. Normandia Cintron will be 80 years on November 5, 2006. He lives in Miraflores, Bayamón. He is still strong and active, as you can see in the photo. To see Angel D. Normandia Cintron’s Bronze Star citation click on the following link. The photograph and information was provided to this site by his son Angel D. Normandia Ayala.
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Thursday, May 24, 2007
65th U.S. Army Regiment is remembered
Puerto Rican unit in Korean War
By Priyanka Dayal TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
At a reception yesterday at the U.S. Presidential Museum, the
Rev. Jose S. Perez of Worcester, from left, Col. Gilbert Villahermosa
and veteran Myles E. Geer talk as they look over a painting,
“The Borinqueneers,” which depicts the Puerto Rican 65th Regiment
fighting during the Korean War. (T&G Staff/STEVE LANAVA)
WORCESTER— Scanning the faded black-and-white prints sitting on the table, Myles E. Geer, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, paused and pointed to a photo of one soldier.
“He was killed,” he said.
Mr. Geer scanned the photos again. “But we had fun, too,” he said, pointing to two men wrestling with a football near a leafy tree.Mr. Geer served in the Puerto Rican 65th U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, an all-volunteer unit that was among the biggest, best trained and most successful regiments to fight in the Korean War.
While he was in Korea in 1953, he took many photographs. Yesterday, his photographs were seen by dozens of people who came to honor the regiment in anticipation of the completion this year of the Korean War Memorial on Worcester Central Boulevard.
“It’s about time the 65th regiment got recognized for what they did,” said Mr. Geer, who lives in Yukon, Mo. “The boys of the 65th may be the best that the Army ever had. … If there was danger, they would be by your side all the time. There was never a task that was too hard for them.”
The 65th Regiment began as the Puerto Rico Battalion of Volunteer Infantry in 1899. It 1908, the unit became part of the U.S. Army. Its soldiers, who made up one of very few ethnically based regiments in the Army, have fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
To Col. Gilbert Villahermosa, inspector general of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, the history of the 65th Regiment reflects America. The colonel, who has spent 27 years in the Army in combat and later as a historian, has written a book about the regiment’s service in Korea in the early 1950s.
“Our Army has always been tremendously ethnically diverse,” he said. “(American) history is more than just the history of whites. It’s the history of the Irish and the Italians. It’s been the history of Puerto Ricans … African Americans … Asians.”
Col. Villahermosa’s interest in the 65th is natural — his father served in the regiment. He called his father “an indigenous peasant” who lived the American dream and succeeded.
“The (65th) Regiment fought brilliantly,” he said, and their dramatic and heroic story should be told.
The Rev. Jose S. Perez of Worcester, who attended yesterday’s reception, also served in the 65th Regiment. He had few words to say. He was just thankful.
“This means a lot,” Rev. Perez said. “It means a lot of people remember the 65th.”
He recalled his days in Korea as cold and long. “We had no rest,” he said. And when soldiers did sleep, they were often burrowed in foxholes.
Because it was sandwiched between World War II and the Vietnam war, two seismic conflicts that defined the 20th century, the Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” The Korean War Memorial was erected to ensure that veterans and soldiers killed in Korea are not forgotten.
The first part of the memorial, the Wall of Honor, is complete. The Walkway of Honor, which will include a section devoted to the 65th Regiment, will be completed before the dedication ceremony planned for Oct. 20. Organizers are hoping more than 1,500 people will attend.
A documentary about the 65th Regiment is scheduled to air on PBS on Aug. 1.
Scott W. Geer, a captain in the Massachusetts Army National Guard and son of the veteran Mr. Geer, said yesterday’s event and the Korean War memorial will help people learn about the 65th Regiment’s service.
“When you talk about war, when you talk about veterans, usually Korea is the last one to come up,” he said. “I think that’s why he talks more about it.”
The older Mr. Geer’s military service had a profound impact on his son, who also enlisted in the armed services.
“I’m very proud of my father’s service,” the younger Mr. Geer said. “My dad’s my hero.”© 2007 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp.
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Pvt2 Eufemio Santiago
Pvt.2 Eufemio Santiago - circa 1952
Pvt2 Eufemio Santiago served as a radioman in Company E, 65th Infantry Regiment in 1952. This photograph was submitted to this site by his proud son, David Santiago. Today July 11, 2007 Eufemio is 77 years young, we wish him a Happy Birthday.
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Corporal Cristobal Melendez Claudio
Cpl. Cristobal Melendez Claudio - circa 1950 - 1951
Sgt Cristobal Melendez Claudio and his wife
Josephine - Central Park - 1957
Cristobal Melendez with wife Josephine and granddaughters Maggie and Emilly
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SFC Fernando Diaz
Recent photographs of retired Master Sergeant Fernando Diaz, Master Sergeant Fernando Diaz (retired) is a Silver Star recipient, Fernando received the Silver Star for valor while serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 65th Infantry Regiment on Dec 18, 1950. To read the citation for SFC Fernando Diaz's Silver Star go to Silver Star. MSgt Fernando Diaz (retired) would like to contact former friends who served with him, to contact him write to Fernando Diaz, Box 728, Cidra, Puerto Rico 00739 or e-mail his son at fdr-52@hotmail.com . His proud son Fernando Diaz Jr. who is a Vietnam Veteran and served with the 173rd Airborne submitted this information to this site.
Fernando Diaz and his wife
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SFC James De Gruttola Retired
Sgt James De Gruttola (right) and Capt. Officer -
Circa early 1954
Sgt James De Gruttola's Korean War Memoirs
James De Gruttola was born on December 1, 1917, in New York City’s Bronx. Drafted into the Army at the beginning of World War II, he soon found himself in Britain, training and preparing to participate in thecoming Allied Invasion of Europe. Despite the dangers ahead, James found that he enjoyed the challenges of Army life.
On June 6, 1944, D-Day, James landed on Utah Beach in Normandy and contributed his best efforts to the success of the American Forces on that long historic day. He subsequently fought all across Europe, and was at the Battle of the Bulge when the Germans’ last great thrust was finally stopped near Bastogne.In the course of these epic events, James met and fell in love with Renée, a Belgian girl from Liège. After the war, he helped with the repatriation of our vehicles and equipment in Germany until he was eventually sent home and demobilized.
Back in the Bronx, James worked hard and saved his money until he had enough to return to Belgium and marry the girl he loved. After their marriage, James re-enlisted in the Army and managed initially to be assigned to graves registration duties in Belgium. In 1953, after a tour in the US, he was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment in Korea as a member of the first group of non- Puerto Ricans to be integrated into that famed regiment. James always considered the 65th as something special, and was proud to have served his country in it. After serving additional tours in the US and France, James retired from the Army in 1966. James De Gruttola died in Brussels on December 22, 2004 at the age of 87. His ashes and those of Renée were taken to Arlington Cemetery in October 2005 for his last “military posting”.
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1LT Myrom Dushkin
Silver Star recipient 1Lt. Myrom Dushkin passed away yesterday, 7 November, 2007, 1Lt.Myrom Dushkin served with the 65th Infantry Regiment in the Heavy Tank Company. On June 22, 1951 1Lt. Myrom Dushkin received the Silver Star for action on April 19, 1951. This page was notified of Myrom Dushkin's passing by his son Mark Dushkin.
1Lt. Myrom Dushkin - circa 1951
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PFC Miguel Montes Ortiz
PFC Miguel Montes Ortiz (extreme right crouching down)
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La historia de un soldado
Lo que sigue es parte de las cosas importantes que me ocurrieron a mí en
Corea mientras que formé parte de los de la 65th Infantería, 3rd
División, en la compañía L al principio de sept. 1952. Mi primera
experiencia en batalla fue entre los morteros y el fuego de artillería
enemiga, alcanzamos un lugar en donde tuvimos que hacer trincheras delante
de la colina Kelly. Entre la colina Kelly y nuestra trinchera existió lo qué
era conocida como “tierra de nadie”. Nos fuimos allí para hacer patrulla de
reconocimiento, cada noche, encontraríamos a patrullas enemigas y tendríamos
que ocasionalmente enganchar en combate. Había muchas patrullas mientras
estaba presente allí, más de veinte en una noche. La Tropa B estaba en las
trincheras enemigas en puesto avanzado de la colina Kelly' pero fue atacada
por el enemigo y muchos fueron tomados presos. Los otros que podían escapar
pasaron por nuestro O/P (compañía L) y relataron cómo fueron atacados por un
enemigo que excedió en número más que el del Puertorriqueño allí. Eso era
cuando la compañía L tuvo que asumir el control. Pasado algunos días,
recibimos la orden para atacar al enemigo y para intentar tomar el puesto
avanzado de Kelly del enemigo. Era el 24 de septiembre de 1952 que golpeamos
las trincheras en la base de la montaña, después de que cruce el río bajo
ataque enemigo en la falda de la montaña. La orden fue dada para perforar
con las bayonetas y para subir la montaña. Era temprano por la mañana y
había muchas nubes en el cielo y el frío se levantó encima de la montaña.
Sin mucho problema fue hecho, pero cuando estábamos en el centro de la
colina de Kelly, el enemigo salió de los túneles detrás de nosotros y en
todos los lados nos rodeó y tuvimos que abrir fuego y luchar hombro con
hombro con el enemigo usando nuestras bayonetas. Mientras que continuamos
yendo encima de la montaña, una lluvia de balas (Bellgone) de una
ametralladora china pequeña, me hirió. Una bala me alcanzó en la palma de mi
mano pero continué hacia adelante y continuaron lanzando muchas granadas que
rodarían abajo y estallarían en todos los lados. Una de esas granadas,
estalló en mi pierna derecha, rompió mi bota y las medias que tenía puesto,
que eran tres pares. Aun cuando estuve lastimado tres veces, tuve que
continuar yendo para arriba, las heridas estaban calientes y frescas, así
que no lastimaron mucho, casi alcancé la tapa de la montaña cerca de un
llano y nos atacaron otra vez con la artillería pesada. Ese momento, en el
cual nos contrataron a hombre servir combate con las bayonetas, un mortero
pulsó que rompió la culata de mi rifle y agarró un pedazo de mi brazo que
partió los nervios de ese brazo. El otro tiró francamente me golpeó en la
nalga izquierda. Los que estaban alrededor de mí, los hicieron saltar en
pedazos, mi teniente murió con muchos de mis otros camaradas y también mucha
parte del enemigo. No tenía mi rifle. Perdía mucha sangre y también perdía
el sentido. Me mordía para mantenerme despierto; Até una media a mi brazo y
continué rodando abajo de la montaña. En la falda de la montaña, no podía
cruzar el río pero en el otro lado un camarada que tenía una ametralladora
colocada, gritaba a mí. Le dije que era Montes de la Tropa L; él cruzó el
río y me trajo al otro lado. Mientras que él me ayudó con mis heridas y bajo
un árbol de Ceiba sin hojas, un mortero cayó y uno de las ramas pequeñas lo
penetró con una herida superficial en la parte más inferior de su cuerpo.
Aproximadamente 15 minutos, un helicóptero de rescate llegó y me movieron,
ése era el 24 de septiembre, yo perdí el conocimiento y desperté en Seúl,
Corea en un hospital el 29 de septiembre, ellos me pasaron más adelante a
Osaka, Japón. Muchas operaciones, muchos hospitales, pero agradezco a Dios
que estoy vivo para recordar las batallas que he encontrado. En una nota
final, quisiera indicar que en toda fe, mi compañía y los soldados valientes
que los componen dieron a si mismo lo máximo para el país y para la
libertad. Dimos todos con orgullo en el servicio del ejército de los Estados
Unidos. Mucho Puertorriqueños murieron cuando le hicieron frente
valerosamente al enemigo y todas las heridas recibidas fueron confrontadas
por amor. ¡Que Dios bendiga los soldados valerosos de Borinquén!
PFC Miguel Montes Ortiz
The
Story of a soldier
The following is part of important things that
occurred to me in Korea when I served with the 65th
Infantry, 3rd Division, in
Company L at the beginning of Sept. 1952. In my first experience in battle,
the Company was exposed to mortar and enemy artillery fire, we reached a
place where we had to make trenches in front of Kelly Hill. Between Kelly
Hill and our trenches existed what was known as “No Man's Land”. We left
there to make a reconnaissance patrol, every night, at times we would find
enemy patrols and would have to engage in combat. There were many night
patrols while I was present there, more than twenty. B Company was in the
enemy trenches at Kelly Hills’ Outpost but was attacked by the enemy and
many were taken prisoners. The others who were able to escape passed by our
O/P (Company L) and related how they were attacked by an enemy that
outnumbered the Puerto Ricans there. That was when Company L had to take
over. In a few days we received the order to attack the enemy and try to
take the Kelly Outpost from the enemy. It was on September 24, 1952 that we
hit the trenches in the base of the mountain, after crossing the river under
enemy attack in the skirt of the mountain. The order was given to "fix
bayonets" and climb the mountain. It was early in the morning and there was
many clouds in the sky and the cold rose up the mountain. Without much
problem, it was done, but when we were in the center of Kelly Hill, the
enemy came out of tunnels behind us and on all sides surrounded us and we
had to open fire and fight hand to hand with the enemy using our bayonets.
While we continued going up the mountain, I was wounded by a shower of (Bellgone)
a small Chinese machine gun . A bullet hit me in the palm of my hand but I
continued onward and they continued to throw many grenades that would roll
down and explode on all sides. One of those grenades, exploded on my right
leg, broke the boot and socks I had on, which were three pairs. Even though
I was hurt three times, I had to continue going up, the wounds were hot and
fresh, so they didn’t hurt much, I almost reached the top of the mountain
near a level clearing and we were attacked again with heavy artillery. That
moment, in which we were engaged in hand to hand combat with bayonets, a
mortar struck which broke the butt of my rifle, tore a chunk of my arm, and
tore the nerves of that arm. The other shot frankly hit me in the left
buttocks. Those who were around me blew up in pieces, my lieutenant died
with many of my other comrades and also much part of the enemy. I didn’t
have my rifle. I was losing much blood and was also losing consciousness. I
would bite myself to keep awake; I tied a sock to my arm and continued
rolling down the mountain. In the skirt of the mountain, I couldn’t cross
the river but on the other side a comrade who had a stationed machine gun,
yelled to me. I told him I was Montes of L Company; he crossed the river and
brought me to the other side. While he helped me with my wounds, under a
branch of a Ceiba tree without leaves, a mortar fell and one of the small
branches struck him with a superficial wound in the lower part of his body.
At about 15 minutes, a rescue helicopter arrived and I was moved in. that
was the 24 of September, I lost consciousness and woke up in Seoul, Korea in
a hospital on September 29, later they passed me on to Osaka, Japan. Many
operations, many hospitals, but thank God I’m alive to remember the battles
that I have encountered. On a final note, I would like to state that in all
faith my company and the brave soldiers that compose them gave their maximum
selves for their country and for liberty. We gave all with pride in the
service of the United States Army in which we served. Many Puerto Ricans died
when faced by the enemy valiantly and all wounds received were for love of
country.
God Bless the Valiant Soldiers of Borinquen.
PFC Miguel Montes Ortiz
This account and photographs were submitted to this site by Ana Montes, the proud daughter of PFC Miguel Montes Ortiz.
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