Skip to main content Skip to footer

Cerritos Veterans

Wars: Operation Enduring Freedom, Global War on Terrorism
Service Dates: September 2001 to September 2009
Branch: United States Navy
Unit: VS-29 Dragonfires/USS Nimitz
Service Locations: 
North Island, San Diego, California
Camp Pendleton, California
Highest Rank: Petty Officer
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Navy Unit Commendation Medal
Rifleman Medal
Pistol Shot Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1979
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Mr. Aquino also provided the following information about his military service:

Mr. Aquino served on special task force Vessel Board Search and Seizure Team (VBSS) aboard the USS Halsey DDG 97 for anti-piracy and counter-terrorism enforcement.

War: World War II
Service Dates: 1942-1946
Branch:
 United States Coast Guard
Unit:
Cargo and personnel ships
Service Location:
Pacific Theater from New Zealand to Japan
Highest Rank:
Carpenter’s Mate First Class
Medals/Special Service Awards:
Battle Star
Birth Year:
1919
Place of Birth:
 Lanigan Saskatchewan, Canada

Mr. Bellenbaum also provided the following information about his military service:

On May 8, 1943, I came aboard the just commissioned cargo ship USS Eridanus AK 92. Soon sailed for South Pacific with Cargo Small Groupe Marines. Earned a battle star February 1944 in assist in taking Bougainville. Left ship September 21, 1944. February 19, 1945 came aboard USS Albiero K 90 cargo ship. Left ship January 29, 1946. Came aboard USS Admiral Capps, a personnel carrier, January 29, 1946. Left ship February 26, 1946.

Wars:  World War II
Korean War
Service Dates: 1943-1946, 1951-1954
Branch:
  United States Navy
Unit:
  Floyd B. Parks
Service Location:
  Japan and Korea
Highest Rank:
  GMM 3rd Class
Medals/Special Service Awards:  
14 war medals
Birth Year:  1926
Place of Birth:
  New York, New York

War:  Korean War
Service Dates:
 1950-1953
Branch:
  United States Coast Guard
Unit:
  The Diligene (a ship stationed in Long Beach)
Service Location:
  Hawaii, California and abroad
Highest Rank:
  Seaman 1st Class
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Overseas Good Conduct
Birth Year:  1931
Place of Birth:
  Honolulu, Hawaii

War: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom
Service Dates: 1987 to 2010
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Unit: MAG-39, 3rd MAW, 1st Marine Exped.
Service Locations: 
Camp Pendleton, Iraq, Afghanistan
Highest Rank: Lt. Colonel
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Bronze Star
Purple Heart,
Two Merit Service Medals with Gold Star
Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy-Marine Corps Award
Killed in Action: Yes 
Birth Year: 1969
Place of Birth: Inglewood, California

Lieutenant Colonel Mario de los Angeles Carazo spent his formative years in the City of Cerritos. He moved here at the age of 3 with his parents Alvaro and Ana Carazo, his brother Alvaro and sisters, Ana and Sandra. Mario attended school in Cerritos and graduated from Cerritos High School in 1987. As a young child, he always dreamed of flying and through his hard work, was able to achieve his dreams. He continued his education at the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1991 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. This began a long and honored career in the United States Marine Corps where Lieutenant Colonel Carazo received many awards, promotions and decorations for his distinguished service.

Lieutenant Colonel Mario Carazo passed away on July 22, 2010 while flying a combat mission over Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Lieutenant Colonel Carazo is survived by his wife Jennifer, 9-year-old son Mario, Jr. and 6-year-old daughter Milla, as well as his parents, Alvaro and Ana, and siblings, Alvaro, Ana and Sandra.

War: WWII
Service Dates: Jan. 1942 - Dec. 1945
Branch: United States Navy
Unit: Patrol Squadron VPB-52 (Black Cats)
Service Location: South Pacific
Highest Rank: Aviation Chief Machinist Mate
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Aircrew Insignia Wings
President Unit Citation Ribbon
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
Navy Good Conduct WWII Medal
WWII Victory Medal
Birth Year: 1924
Place of Birth: Long Beach, CA

War: Korean-Vietnam
Service Dates: Jan. 1951–Jul. 1972
Branch: United States Navy
Unit: Recruit Training
Service Locations: 
Long Beach, California
Norfolk, Virginia
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Highest Rank: Chief Petty Officer (PNC-E-7)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Korean Service Ribbon
United Nations Service Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Good Conduct Award (6 Awards)
Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge (3)
POW: No
Birth Year: 1931
Place of Birth: Dawson, New Mexico

War:  Vietnam
Service Dates:
 1969-1973
Branch:
  United States Air Force
Unit:
  Security Group
Service Location:  
Anchorage, Alaska
Clark Air Force Base, Philippines
San Angelo, Texas
Biloxi, Mississippi
Highest Rank:  Sergeant
Birth Year:  1949
Place of Birth:
  Albuquerque, New Mexico

War: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Service Dates: June 2003–July 2006
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 1st Calvary Division, 215th FSB
Service Location: 
Fort Hood, Texas
Highest Rank: Captain
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Army Commendation Medal
Iraqi Campaign Medal
Birth Year: 1976
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

War: In support of OEF/OIF
Service Dates: January 2004 to April 2005
Branch: United States Army Reserve
Unit: 349th Combat Support hospital
Service Location: 
Landstuhl, Germany
Highest Rank: CPT
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Meritorious Unit commendation
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Ribbon
Army Commendation Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
Birth Year: 1966
Place of Birth: Lima, Peru

Ms. Colchado also provided the following information about her military service:

  • Served 12 months duty in Landstuhl, Germany in 2004
  • Humanitarian mission to El Salvador in 2005
  • Three weeks overseas training in Landstuhl, Germany in 2008

War: Vietnam War Era
Service Dates: March 1966 to March 1972
Branch: United States Navy
Unit: Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet
Service Locations: 
San Diego, California
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Highest Rank: E-5
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Vietnam Era Service Medal
Birth Year: 1945
Place of Birth: Omaha, Nebraska

Mr. Constantino also provided the following information about his military service:

Mr. Constantino enlisted in the United State Navy Reserve program while attending college, and served naval reserve duty for approximately one year before Active Duty service. He went to Class A communications and electronics school in San Diego and was then assigned to the Comunication Station, CIC Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for another year. As the Vietnam War came to a close, early Active Duty releases were being assigned, and Mr. Constantino was released to Active Naval reserve duty at the Communications Station, Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles, California where he fininished his obligation as a reservist.

War: Korean
Service Dates:
1954-1956
Branch:
 United States Army
Unit:
 Corp of Engineers 538 Engr Co
Service Location:
Fort Ord
Fort Be Luior
Fort Lewis
Inchon, Korea
Highest Rank: SP 3
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year:
1930
Place of Birth:
 Youngstown, Ohio

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: February 1958 to February 1967
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Units: 
1st Marine Division
1st Marine Air Wing
2nd Marine Division
3rd Marine Air Wing
Service Locations: 
Camp LeJeune, North Carolina
Beirut, Lebanon
Camp Pendleton, California
Santa Ana, California
Chu Lai, Vietnam
Phu Bai, Vietnam
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (E-6)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Presidential Unit Citation
Birth Year: 1937
Place of Birth: Buffalo, New York

War:  Vietnam
Service Dates:
 1968-1970
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:
  9th Infantry Division
Service Location:
  South Vietnam
Highest Rank:
  Specialist 4th Class E-4
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Birth Year:  1948
Place of Birth:
  San Pedro, California

War:  Vietnam/Berlin Wall
Service Dates:
 1968-1970
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:
  HHC 20 / BN 68th Armor USAREUR
Service Location:
  Baumholder, Germany
Highest Rank:
  Spec 5 E-5
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Sharpshooter M-14, Geneva Con V.
Birth Year:  1948
Place of Birth:
  Artesia, California

War:  World War II Victory and Atlantic Pacific
Service Dates:
 1942-1946
Branch:
  United States Coast Guard
Unit:
  Arthur Middleton & CGC Chataqua
Service Location:  
Atlantic Pacific Ocean (mainly)
San Onofre, California and San Clemente, California (later)
Highest Rank:  Carpenter’s Mate First Class
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Good Conduct:  American Theatre of Operations, World War II Victory, and Atlantic Pacific Theatre of Operations
POW:  No
Birth Year:
  1920
Place of Birth:
  Steen, Minnesota

War:  Korean DMZ
Service Dates:
 1968-1972
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:   
Airborne Infantry, Combat Development Command, HQs, Fort Ord/ 2 Bde, 2nd Inf. Div., HQs, DMZ Korea
Service Location:  
Fort Ord, California
Fort Benning, Georgia
Camp Hovey, Korea
Highest Rank:  Captain
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Jump Wings (Airborne)
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Expeditionary Force Medal (Korea)
Birth Year:  1946
Place of Birth:
  Portland, Oregon

Service Dates: 1955-1957
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:
  26 ORD Company
Service Location:
  Pirasems, Germany
Highest Rank:
  SP 3
Medals/Special Service Awards:  
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year:  1932
Place of Birth:
  Georgetown, Guyana, South America

War: WWII
Service Dates: July 1943 - August 1946
Branch: United States Army
Unit: Co. I/275 Reg/70th Inf. Div.
Service Location:
France
Germany
Highest Rank: T/5
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
American Theater Ribbon
European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
Victory Medal
Combat Medical Medal
Army of Occupation (Germany) Battle: Rhineland Central Europe
Birth Year: 1925
Place of Birth: Anoka, Minnesota

Mr. Freeman also also provided the following information about his military service:

"I have been a travel agent for 40 years and have arranged and escorted our 70th Infantry Veterans on 16 Return to Europe Tours."

How I Won World War II

"In August, 1944 I was stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and was in I Company of the 275th Infantry Regiment of the 70th Infantry Division. I had been in Camp Adair, Oregon for a year before we went to Missouri.

"All of the time I was in the army, as I had done before I went into the service, I was active in our church. I continued attending church services at the Military Chapel. It was a Sunday evening in early December that I went to Chapel #5 for the evening Vesper Service. There was about 15 GI's up in the balcony with the chaplain. They were doing their best to sing without any organ accompaniment. It was not very good singing without any music. The chaplain kept asking if any one of us could play the organ. I had never attempted this instrument, but I had taken piano lessons. I could play almost any hymn by ear. I stepped forward and the chaplain turned on the big electric Hammond Organ. I was surprised how good it sounded. After the evening the chaplain asked my name and company and wrote it down.

"The next morning I was called into the office as a chaplain wanted to talk to me. This was Chaplain Ronald E. Hubbard from the 370th Medical Battalion. I was transferred out of the infantry and was now a medic, as the chaplain's assistant. We went to France a month after the infantry companies sailed to Europe. When we got into the battle area, a "Chaplain's Kitchen" was set up for me. Every day a large truckload of French bread was delivered to me and it was stacked like wood in the back of my working table. I had many 5 gallon drums of peanut butter and strawberry jam in the kitchen. It was now my job to cut the French bread in slices, be very generous with the peanut butter and jam and make open faced sandwiches. I served them from a large tray to the wounded men, the American Soldiers as well as the German Prisoner Soldiers who had been hurt. The government told me when I asked why we did not serve a good bowl of hot soup that this would make men sick, as they had been eating only C or K rations, and the bread with peanut butter and jam was most healthy.

"This was my daily job, when we were not out in the field attending church services. I was working making the sandwiches 24 hours. When I was giving them to the wounded men I asked about my friends in I Company, 275th Infantry, and was told that many had been killed or captured or were in bad shape with trench foot. Finally I told the chaplain that infantry replacements were needed, and I was a qualified infantry soldier and would he release me from my job so I could go to the front battle area. He took me down stairs to a small room in the school at St. Avold, France that we had converted into a hospital. He locked me in the room and told me to go to sleep and rest. Later he came and had a long talk with me and explained to me that I had the most important job in the U.S. Army and should stay and continue making the peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

"I know that God was watching over me, and I am alive today because I stayed with my job as a chaplain's assistant.

"Yes, I still like peanut butter and jam sandwiches."

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: 1964–1968
Branch: United States Navy
Unit: USS Cocopa ATF101 and USS Gridley DLG21
Service Locations: 
Great Lakes, Illinois
San Diego, California
Long Beach, California
Vietnam Combat Zone (2 tours)
Highest Rank: EM2 (E-5)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960- )
Birth Year: 1944
Place of Birth: Ballston Spa, New York

Mr. Gentiluomo also provided the following information about his military service and life in the Cerritos area:
Enlisted: Albany, NY, 1964
Honorable Disch
arge: Long Beach, CA, 1968
Cerritos Resident: 1972 - present

War: Korea
Service Dates: Sept. 1950 - May 1953
Branch: United States Marine Corp
Unit: "D" Co., 2nd Btn., 1st Marines, 1st Div.
Service Location: 
Camp Pendleton, California
Korea
Highest Rank: Sergeant
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Purple Heart Medal
National Defense Medal
Korean Service Medal
U.N. Service Medal
Pres. Unit Comm. Ribbon
Navy Unit Comm. Ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
Korean War Service Medal
Birth Year: 1930
Place of Birth: Los Angeles , California

Service Dates: 1967-1973
Branch:
 United States Army
Unit:
 HHC 3rd BN 23 Infantry Eighth Army
Service Location:
 Fort Ord, California
DMZ, South Korea
Highest Rank:  Spec 5
Birth Year: 1945
Place of Birth:
 Brooklyn, New York

Service Dates:  1961-1965
Branch:
  United States Air Force
Unit:
  Security Service
Service Location:   
TDY Okinawa, Japan, Philippines & Guam
Highest Rank:
  A 1/C (E-4)
Medals/Special Service Awards:  
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year:  1942
Place of Birth:
  Los Angeles, California

Mr. Gutierrez also provided the following information about his military service and life in the Cerritos area:

Basic training Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
Tech Sch. Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas
Osan AB, Korea
Shu-Lin-Ku AS, Formosa/Taiwan
Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Maryland
Graduate Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy Class #142, 1970
Retired Lieutenant, 1992
City of Cerritos Block Captain, Neighborhood Watch Program
City of Cerritos CERT Member, First Class

War: Cuban Missile Crisis; Vietnam
Service Dates: Apr. 1962 –Aug. 1966
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Highest Rank: E-5
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Good Conduct Medal (First Award)
National Defense Service Medal
Birth Year: 1940
Place of Birth: Waldo, Comumbia County, Arkansas

Mr. Harris also provided the following information about his military service:

Duty Stations:
Boot Camp—M.C.R.D. San Diego, CA 1st Batallion-Platoon 328.
Hq, MatSup & MaintBn, 1st for ServRegt, FMF Camp Pen, CA
Hq. Bn, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow, CA
One year and 20 days of Foreign and/or Sea Service

War: Germany (Berlin Wall went up)
Service Dates: 1961-1964
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 39th Transportation Company
Service Locations: Germany
Highest Rank: E4, E5
Birth Year: 1943
Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: August 1962 to June 1974
Branch: United States Navy
Units: Strike Center, USS Hancock (CVA-19)
Service Locations: 
Western Pacific
Highest Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Navy Expeditionary, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Sec. of Navy Citation, Good Conduct, National Defense
Birth Year: 1944
Place of Birth: Salt Lake City, UT

War: Korean War
Service Dates: November 1948–June 1964
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (S/SGT)
POW: No
Birth Year: 1916
Place of Birth: Shelby, Mississippi

Mr. Harris also provided the following information about his military service:

Served from Pusan/Ichoen to the Yule River.

War:  World War II
Service dates: 1943-1945
Branch:  United States Navy
Unit:
  Naval Advance Echelon Ship Repair Unit #4
Service Location:
 New Guinea
Philippines
Highest Rank:  Machinist’s Mate First Class
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Bronze Star Asiatic Pacific new Guinea Operation
Bronze Star Asiatic Pacific Leyte Operation
Bronze Star Philippine Liberation

Birth Year:  1923
Place of Birth:
  Cleveland, Ohio

Wars: 
Korean
Vietnam
Service Dates: 1955 to 1975
Branch: U.S. Navy
Unit: U.S. Marine Corps Division
Service Locations: 
Korea
Vietnam
Middle East
Camp Pendleton, CA
Highest Rank: HMC E-7
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Combat Award, Vietname and Middle East on board U.S. ship
Good Conduct Award
Birth Year: 1927
Place of Birth: San Jose, Batangas, Philippines

War: World War II
Service Dates: June 1942–Feb. 1946
Branch: United States Navy
Unit: Naval Air Transport Service
Service Locations: 
Norfolk, Virginia
Jacksonville, Florida
Tillamook, Oregon
Guam
Highest Rank: AMMP 1C
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Victory Medal WW-2
Asiatic-Pacific Area
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1925
Place of Birth: East Point, Georgia

Mr. Kenyon also provided the following information about his military service:

When I joined the Navy in 1942 I was sent back to Norfolk, VA Boot Camp. There were 100 men in each Company. We were given a test and only 3 out of 100 tried to pass it. I was 1 of the 3 that tried and passed the test. The remaining 97 men did not try to pass the test as they wanted to get into combat ASAP. There were assigned to LSMs (Landing Ship Men) and were engaged in a landing in Italy. There were 97% casualties. I was sent to Chicago and attended aircraft propellor school. My services were in demand on Guam as I was the only aircraft propellor specialist available to the Naval Air Transport Service on Guam.

Service Dates: 1967–1970
Branch: United States Navy
Unit: NARTU-NAS Alameda
Service Locations: 
Naval Air Station–Alameda California
Highest Rank: E-4
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Nvy Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1943
Place of Birth: Moline, Illinois

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: May 1968–Nov. 1969
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 93rd Military Police Bettalion
Service Locations: 
Fort Knox, KY
Fort Gordon, GA
Viet Nam
Highest Rank: Specialist 4th Class
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Purple Heart
Birth Year: 1947
Place of Birth: Akron, Ohio

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: November 1965 to December 1969
Branch: United States Army
Units: 334th Armed Helicopter Co., 145th Aviation Batallion, US Army Vietnam
Service Locations: 
Ft. Polk, LA; Ft. Wolters, TX; Ft. Rucker, AL; Bien Hoa Air Base, III Corp, RVN
Highest Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Army Aviator Badge, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/26 oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, two over seas bars.
Birth Year: 1945
Place of Birth: San Pedro, CA

War: Korean War
Service Dates: October 1950 to July 1952
Branch: United States Army
Unit: Hq Co 2nd Battalion 21st Infantry Regiment
Service Location: 
Fort Devans, Massachussetts
Camp Polk, Louisiana
Korea
Highest Rank: CPL
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Korean Service Medal
W/4 Bronze Stars
United Nations Service Medal
Combat Infantry Badge
National Defense Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1928
Place of Birth: Rochester, New York

War: Iraq
Service Dates:
 August 10, 2004-November 29, 2007
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit: 
5-20 Infantry
Highest Rank:
  E4
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Combat Infantry Badge
Birth Year:
  1977
Place of Birth:
  Harbor City, California

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: July 1967-July 1970
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Unit: MCTSSA
Service Locations: Southern California
Highest Rank: E-4
Birth Year: 1946
Place of Birth: Artesia, California

War: World War II
Cold War Germany
Service Dates: May 1941–Feb. 1961
Branch: United States Navy
Service Locations: 
South Pacific
Germany
Atlantic Fleet
Pacific Fleet
Highest Rank: Boilerman First Class (BTI)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
American Campaign—Asiatic-Pacific with Four Stars
WWII Victory—Navy Occupation with Europe Clasp
National Defense Service—American Defense Medal
Birth Year: 1922
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Mr. Martin also provided the following information about his military service:

I spent four years (1949 to 1954) on patrol boats on the Rhine River Patrol, the last line of defense in case the Russians invaded the American Sector (during the Cold War). Served on four destroyers, two carriers, one destroyer tender and one fleet tanker. I've been to many ports in the Mediterranean Sea, East Coast of the US, many ports in the Pacific and the West Coast. I belong to the Fleet Reserve Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

War: Vietnam
Service Dates:
 January 27, 1965 to December 27, 1968
Branch:
  United States Navy
Unit: 
7th Fleet, USS Mathews (AKA-96)Service Location San Diego, Long Beach, and San Francisco Naval Bases
Highest Rank:  MM3 Third Class E-4
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign with Device 1960
Birth Year:
  1946
Place of Birth:
  Los Angeles, California

Additional information about Mr. McClain's military service:

Honorable Discharge January 26, 1971
Transfer to Naval Reserve Naval Station San Diego, CA on Dec. 27, 1968

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: 1965-1967
Branch:
United States Army
Unit:
Military Assistance Command Advisor Team 28
Service Location:
 Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Highest Rank:
E-4
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Certificate of Training Achievement
Vietnam Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Sharp Shooter Badge
M-14 Qualified Rifle
National Defense Medal
Certificate of Achievement for Meritorious Service
Birth Year: 1945
Place of Birth:
 Long Beach, California

Mr. Molina also provided the following information about his military service and life in the Cerritos area:

Basic Training Fort Bliss, Texas, 8 weeks, Army Training Center, Air Defense.
Fort Polk, Louisiana Co. C 2nd Bn. 3d Bde. Advance Infantry Training, 8 weeks. 1 week Jungle Training. MOS. 11B20 trained in all small weapons, explodes and tactics.
Vietnam War 1 year. 111 Corps. Ad. Gp. U.S. Military Assistant Comd. Advisor Team #28 with the 2nd Division of South Vietnam Troops.
Fort Lewis, Washington AIT Co. Comm. Gp. USATC. Training troops in Advice Infantry and Tactics.
I have lived in the area for 57 years. Attended elementary, junior high, high school and Cerritos Junior College.

War:  World War II
Service Dates:
 1945-1947
Branch:
  United States Navy
Unit:
  USS Fall River & USS Chicago
Highest Rank:
  Seaman Second Class
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
American Area
Victory Medal World War II
Birth Year:  1928
Place of Birth:
  Austin, Minnesota

War:  Korean
Service Dates:
 1952-1960
Branch:
  United States Marine Corps
Unit:
  3rd Division, 3rd Battalion
Service Location:
  Camp Del Mar, Oceanside, California
Highest Rank:
  Corporal
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Birth Year:  1930
Place of Birth:
  San Bernardino, California

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: October 1957 to November 1987
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Units: 
1st Marine Division
1st Marine Air Wing
2nd Marine Division
3rd Marine Division
3rd Marine Air Wing
Service Locations: 
San Diego, California
Camp LeJeune, North Carolina
Oahu, Hawaii
Camp Pendleton, California
Arlington, Virginia
El Toro, California
Okinawa, Japan
29 Palms, California
Seal Beach, California
Tustin, California
Highest Rank: Sergeant Major
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Good Conduct Medals
Rifle M14 Sharpshooter Badge
Pistol 45 Cal. Expert Badge
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Meritorious Mast
Vietnamese Campaign w/ Device
Vietnamese Service
Vietnamese Crest of Gallantry w/ Palm & Frame
Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Joint Cheifs of Staff Medal
Birth Year: 1939
Place of Birth: Portland, Oregon

War:  Vietnam
Service Dates:
 1962-1963
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:
  1st, Bn, 325 Infantry, 82 Airborne Division
Service Location:
  Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Highest Rank:
  Sergeant E5
Birth Year:  1944
Place of Birth:
  St. Paul, Minnesota

Wars:  Cuban Missile Crisis
Dominican Republic Crisis
Vietnam
Iran Evacuation
Service Dates: 1960-1988
Branch:  United States Navy
Unit:  See additional information below
Service Location:   See additional information below
Highest Rank:  CW04 (Chief Warrant Officer-4)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Navy Commendation Medal
Navy Achievement Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation
Good Conduct Medal
Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Birth Year:  1942
Place of Birth:  Manila, Philippines

Mr. Perlas also provided the following information about his military service:

October 1960-March 1961 – RTC NTC San Diego
April 1961-April 1962 – Com Second FCT
June 1963-September 1964 – USS Beace (DD-471)
October 1964-January 1965 – Receiving Station, Subic Bay, RP
February 1965-October 1969 – USS Preston (DD-975)
November 1969-January 1972 – DATC San Diego
March 1972-December 1974 – USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
January 1975-March 1978 – FTG San Diego
July 1978-July 1981 – USS HOFC (DDG-13)
August 1981-July 1983 – Port Services NAVSTA Long Beach
August 1983-September 1986 – USS Prairie (AD-15)
October 1986-November 1988 – SIMA/NRMF Long Beach Naval Station

War: Panama Invasion
Service Dates: 1983-2003
Branch: United States Army
Unit:
7th Infantry Division (California)
8th Infantry Division (Germany)
10th Mtn. Division (New York)
2nd Infantry Division (Korea)
25th Infantry Division (Washington)
Service Locations: 
Germany
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Fort Ord, California
Fort Drum, New York
Korea
Fort Lewis, Washington
Egypt
Highest Rank: SSG (P)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Season Ribbon
Good Conduct Ribbon
Armed Forces Expeditionary Ribbon
NCO Development Ribbon
Army Achievement Ribbon
Army Commendation Ribbon
Expert Infantry Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Air Assault Badge
National Defense Service Ribbon
Birth Year: 1964
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Service Dates: Sep. 1959 –Aug. 1965 (1963-65: Reserve Duty)Branch: United States Air Force
Service Location: 
Amarillo and San Antonio, Texas
Denham, England
Vandenberg, California
Highest Rank: A/2C
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Gold Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1940
Place of Birth: North Little Rock, Arkansas

War:  Korean War
Service Dates:
 1950-1952
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:
  160th Infantry 40th Division
Service Location:
  San Francisco, Fort Ord, California
Highest Rank:
  Corporal
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Japanese Occupation
Korean Ribbon
Good Conduct
Two Battle Stars
Birth Year:  1932
Place of Birth:
  El Paso, Texas

War: Korean
Service Dates: September 1953 to July 1955
Branch: United States Army
Cognizant District:Trf Army Res La Mil Dist
Service Location: Shreveport, LA
Highest Rank: Private First Class (T)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea
Presidential Unit Citation
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1932
Place of Birth: Alexandria, LA

Mr. Powell also provided the following information about his military service:

  • Most significant duty assignment: H/S Co 74 Engr BN APO 358 Combt Const. Spec.

War:  Vietnam
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:  
Fort Benning – Infrantry, Army Ranger, Paratrooper Training
24th Infantry Division – Germany
2nd Logistical Command – Okinawa and Vietnam
Service Location: Georgia
Germany
Okinawa
Vietnam
Highest Rank:  Captain
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Army Ranger
National Defense Service Medal
Parachute Badge
Birth Year:  1941
Place of Birth:
  Cleveland, Ohio

War: Korean War
Service Dates: 1953–1961
Branch: United States Navy
Service Locations: 
U.S. Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland
U.S. Navy Radioman School, Bainbridge, Maryland
U.S. Naval Base (Communication Station), Charleston, South Carolina
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Headquarters, Naples, Italy
USN Reesta, Brooklyn, New York
Highest Rank: RM1 (Radioman First Class E-6)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1934
Place of Birth: Naic, Cavite, Philippines

Mr. Pulido also provided the following information about his military service:

  • Rudy Pulido was born in the Philippines during the Depression years and experienced the hardships of life during World War II, which formed and tempered his character and prepared him for future life in the military.
  • He emigrated to the United States to join his father who was serving in the U.S. Navy as the Chief Stewart to the Secretary of the Navy in the Pentagon during the early 1950s.
  • Rudy graduated from Anacostia High School in Washington D.C. in June 1953.
  • He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1953 as a Stewart Recruit (E-1) during the Korean War.
  • Rudy graduated 2nd in his class at the U.S. Navy Radioman School, Bainbridge, Maryland in June 1954.
  • Rudy was assigned to duty station at the U.S. Navy Base (Communications Station) Charleston, South Carolina, during which time he obtained his American citizenship papers and became a full-fledged American citizen.
  • He then volunteered to military duty to serve overseas at NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Headquarters, Southern Europe, Naples, Italy.
  • Rudy rose rapidly to the rank of RM1 (Radioman First Class E-6) in the shortest possible time of 3 years and 10 months.
  • Rudy served a total of 8 years obligated service (08/1953-08/1961) in the U.S. Navy.
  • He then used his Educational G.I. Bill Benefits to pursue and earn his BSCE (bachelors of science degree in Civil Engineering) from the University of Maryland at College Park in January 1962.
  • After graduating from the University of Maryland, Rudy married his college sweetheart, Ester Lagmay, and both headed west to California.
  • Rudy accepted a position with the California Division of Highways (now called CALTRANS), where he was involved in several projects such as: I-405 San Diego Freeway through Mullholland; I-10 Santa Monica Freeway; I-105 Freeway; and most especially the I-605/91 Freeway Interchange, which is close to Cerritos.
  • In addition, Rudy also accepted the position of Senior Civil Engineer at Nevada Nuclear Test Site in Mercury, Nevada.
  • Besides his engineering career, Rudy was also heavily involved with his own Real Estate business here in California and in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was the first Filipino-American awarded to own the Red Carpet Realtors Franchise in Anaheim, California.
  • Rudy and Ester have been happily married for 45 years and blessed with four wonderful and talented children. Two received their bachelors degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles and the other two graduated from California State University, Long Beach. Their son Mark is serving his second term on the ABC Unified School District Board of Education. Their son Rod, a film director, writer and producer, co-produced with Rudy the feature length film "The Flip Side," which won critical acclaim at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in 2001.
  • Additionally, as an active member of our community, Rudy has been a past president of several organizations such as the Philippine Technical and Professional Society; the Philippine Society of South East Los Angeles; and the Southern California Phil-U.S. Veterans Association.
  • In addition, Rudy is the immediate past Post Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1846 Cerritos/Artesia, serving in that capacity from 2004 to 2006. VFW Post 1846 has over 100 members and was organized and chartered by the National Headquarters on July 15, 1983.
  • During Rudy's command, VFW Post 1846 collaborated with the Fine Arts and Historical Commission and the Cerritos City Council to erect a stunning memorial dedicated to all veterans who served in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. The Post is also involved in the processing of Cerritos veterans applications for the City of Cerritos Veterans Project web site.

War:  World War II, 1942-1945 & 1950-1951
Branch:
  United States Marine Corps
Unit:  
Raider Battalion and 6th Marine Division (World War II)1st Marine Division (Korea, 1950-1951)
Service Location:  Bougainville, Emiru, Guam, Okinawa
Sent to Japan two months after the war.
Total of 34 months overseas.
Highest Rank:  Sergeant
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Bronze Star
Letter of Commendation
Birth Year:  1922
Place of Birth:
  Inglewood, California

War: Iraqi Freedom
Service Dates: September 1979 to September 2004
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Service Locations: 
Camp Pendleton, CA; Okinawa, Japan; Mt. Fuji, Japan; Bangor, WA; Keneoh and Pearl; Harbor, HI; Camp Le Jeune, NC; Portsmouth, England; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Quantico, VA; 29 Palms, CA; El Toro, CA; Port Hueneme, CA; Gulf Port, LA; Camp Commando, Kuwait; Al Diwanayah, Baghdad, Allhillah, Iraq; Subic Bay, Philippines; Sattahip, Thailand; Pusan and Pohang, Korea
Highest Rank: Master Sergeant/E-8
Birth Year: 1960
Place of Birth: Santa Monica, CA

War: Iraq
Service Dates:
 2005-2012
Branch:
 United States Air Force
Service Locations:
South Korea
Charleston, SC
Guam
Kuwait
Iraq
Highest Rank: E-4
Medals/Special Service Awards:Air Force Achievement Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with one Service Star
Korea Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Birth Year: 1984
Place of Birth:
 Downey, California

War:  Korean
Service Dates:
 1950-1953
Branch:
  United States Navy
Unit:
  U.S.S. Kearsarge (CVA-33)
Service Location:  
U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, California
U.S. Naval Air Station, San Diego, California
Faetupac Naval Air Station, San Diego, California
U.S.S. Kearsarge (CVA-33)
Highest Rank:  PNSN
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
United Nations Service Medal
China Service Medal
Korea Service Ribbon (2 stars)
Birth Year:  1930
Place of Birth:
  Compton, California

Service Dates:  1960-1962
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:
  U.S. Army Strategic Communication Command
Service Location:
  Arlington Hall Station, Arlington, Virginia
Highest Rank:
  Specialist 4
Birth Year:  1935
Place of Birth:
  Portsmouth, Virginia 

Mr. Salisbury also performed assignments at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.; Fort Riley, Junction City, Kansas; Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas; and returned to Arlington Hall Station, Arlington, Virginia for separation.

War: Korea Conflict
Service Dates: Aug. 1949 - Jan. 1953
Branch: United States Army
Unit: (MP) HqDet 6019th ASU
Service Location:
California
Georgia
Okinawa
Highest Rank: E4 Corporal
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Occupation Medal (Japan)
Birth Year: 1928
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, CA

War: Operation Iraqi Freedom and OIF 05-07
Service Dates: Sept. 2001-Feb. 2007
Branch: United States Army
Unit: HHC 54th Engineer Battalion
Service Location: 
Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri
Bamberg, Germany
Highest Rank: Sergeant
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Purple Heart
ARCOM w/Valor
ARCOM
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service
Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals
Iraq Campaign
Army Service
Birth Year: 1981
Place of Birth: Bellflower, California

Mr. Schwedler also provided the following information about his military service:

"I joined the Army on Sept. 10th, 2001. After basic training in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, I was stationed in Bamberg, Germany. In February 2003 I was deployed to Kuwait and subsequently crossed the border into Iraq on March 19th, 2003. On May 16th, 2003 my vehicle was struck with a rocket-propelled grenade and I was injured. I was still able to render assistance to my driver despite my own injuries and thankfully she is still alive today. In October of 2005 I was deployed for one more year in support of the Marines fighting in the western desert of Iraq. On the 5th of February 2005 I was honorably discharged from active duty and returned here to my hometown of Cerritos."

Wars: Korea–Vietnam
Service Dates: Sept. 1954-Sept. 1976
Branch: United States Army
Unit: U.S. Army Intelligence
Service Locations: 
European and Far Eastern Theater of Operations
Highest Rank: SFC E7
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Army Commendation Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Birth Year: 1936
Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines

Mr. Skiles also provided the following information about his military service:

Mr. John Siles began his military career with his elistment in the United States Army in September 1954 at Clarks Field, Philippines. After Basic Training at Fort Ord, California, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a translator/interpreter in Tagalog, a language of the Philippines. While at Fort Bragg, he also underwent leadership training. Between 1956–63, he had assignments at Fort Meade, Maryland, HQ. U.S. Army Pacific Command in Hawaii, and Fort Irwin, California doing translation and performing various intelligence duties.

His military education continued with studies in the Indonesian language at the U.S. Army Language School in Monterey, California as well as interrogation training at Fort Holobird, Maryland. This led him to assignments in the 6th Army area to train units and Prisoner of War handling and Code of Conduct training prior to their deployment to Vietnam.

In May 1966, he volunteered for Vietnam and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 25th Division in Pleiku in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam. His duties included interrogation of all NVAs and civilians captured in the area of responsibility for immediate tactical information. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for services during this period.

Following his tour in Vietnam, he came back to California to the Defense Language Institute (DLI) West Coast, Monterey, California and studied German for a year to prepare for his next assignment with the 18th Military Intelligence Battalion as the NCOIC/Interrogator at the Joint Interrogation Center in Germany. His duties from 1968–71 were to gather tactical and strategic information from all border crossers and other human sources.

After his tour in Germany, Mr. Skiles attended the Defense Language Institute (DLI) Southwest, Biggs Field, Texas to study Vietnamese (South) language for one year. After language school in 1972, he was then assigned to Saigon, Republic of Vietnam to supervise the translation and interrogation sections. He was assigned to the Four-Party Committee (Canada, Indonesia, Poland and the United States) until the end of the Vietnam War as liaison, interpreter and translator for the U.S./Indonesian parties and participated in four trips to North Vietnam to supervise the orderly exchanges of our American Prisoners of War (POWs) and their safe landing in American territory in the Philippines. He remained in Vietnam until all U.S. tactical forces were closed down in 1973. Mr. Skiles was awarded the Bronze Star for his duties there.

His final training at DLI in Monterey, California was to study the Korean language in 1974 followed by one year in Seoul, Korea as the Operations NCO supervising interrogations in the training and conduct of interrogations. In September 1976, he ended 22 years of continuous service at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona at the U.S. Army Intelligence School as an instructor at the Interrogation School for the Armed Forces, where he earned the Meritorious Service Cross.

Mr. Skiles' devotion to military service followed that of his father, Arthur F. Skiles, who joined the U.S. Army in Kentucky, fought in the Spanish-American War and saw actions in the Battle of San Juan Hill, Cuba and the Battle of Manila Bay, Philippines. Mr. Skiles Sr. settled in Manila after the war where he married John's mother and raised his family. John was born in Manila, Philippines in June 1936 where we was raised. He attended the University of St. Thomas for two years prior to his enlistment.

After his retirement from the U.S. Army, John and his family settled down in Cerritos in 1973. John became successful in the real estate and mortgage industries, until a life-threatening illness and a needed liver transplant in 1992. He is a survivor for 15 years now and is considered by the UCLA Liver Transplant team as one of their longest living transplantees.

John has been married for 48 years to his wife, Toni, who also retired from a successful career with the VA Medical Center in Long Beach. They have five children: Peter, Maria, Stephanie (Ogata), John Jr. and Joanne (Couch) who are very successful in their own careers. John and Toni also have six grandchildren now and one on the way as the seventh grandchild.

John and Toni have been active members of the SC Philippine-U.S. Veterans Association for 20 years. John served as its President for the last three years and is now Chairman of the Board as well as a member of the Filipino Seniors of Cerritos Association for the past 8 years. Toni serves as its Secretary for the last 5 years. John and Toni are very involved in community service in Cerritos.

War:  World War II
Service Dates: Apr. 1943–Jan. 1946
Branch:  United States Army
Unit:
  Medical Corp.
Service Location:
  India
Highest Rank:
  T-5
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Lapel button issued
Birth Year:  1916
Place of Birth:
  Bronx-New York, New York

Mrs. Ruth J. Statland also provided the following information about Mr. Statland’s military service:

Shipped to Assam, India for 1-1/2 years
Left India June 1945, arrived at Okinawa July 1945; left December 1945, arrived at Seattle Washington December 12, 1945; discharged January 6, 1946
Good Conduct Medal, January 6, 1946 Battle Star, 1945

Army medical school at Brooke General Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas
Graduated January 5, 1944, Surgical Technician
Service at Brooke General Hospital for 12 weeks

Received the following letter from President Harry Truman:
“To you who answered the call of your country and served in the Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful nation. As one of the nation’s finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace.”

Service Dates:  1956-1962
Branch:
  United States Marine Corps
Unit:
  2D AAA AW BN; 1st LAAM BN, 3rd Recruit Training BN
Service Location:  
Marine Corps Basic School, Quantico, Virginia
Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, California
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California
Highest Rank:  Captain
Birth Year:  1934
Place of Birth:
  Dayton, Ohio

Service Dates:  1967-1969
Branch:
  United States Army
Unit:
  Co. B, 4th Battalion, 18th U.S. Infantry
Service Location:
  Berlin, Germany
Highest Rank:
  Sergeant E5
Birth Year:  1943
Place of Birth:
  Los Angeles, California

War: World War II
Service Dates: Oct. 1942 to Feb. 1946
Branch: Navy-Marine Corp.
Unit: 1st Marine Assault Unit, Special Forces
Service Locations: 
Great Lakes, NOB, Norfolk, Virginia
Lido Beach, Long Island
LST 508, Southampton, England
Highest Rank: Pharmacist 2nd Class, Surgical Tech.
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Presidential Unit Citation for the American, European, and Pacific Theaters
English D-Day medal and French D-Day medal and presentation
Birth Year: 1924
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Mr. Vargas also provided the following information about his military service:

"I participated in D-Day June 1944 in the Utah Beach 3rd assault wave as a surgical tech, attending to approximately 300 wounded, three doctors, and 20 corpsmen. When Europe was secured I was sent to California to train with 1st Marine Assault Unit Special Forces to train for the Invasion of Japan … I finished my tour of duty with the Shore Patrol in Honolulu, Hawaii."

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: 1962–1978
Branch: United States Navy
Units: 
USS Paul Revere (APA-248)
Beachmaster Unit One .
Service Location: San Diego, CA
Highest Rank: Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)
Birth Year: 1940
Place of Birth: Long Beach, CA

Mr. Wallace also provided the following information about his military service:

Reserve duty with NR Inshore Underseas Warfare Division 11-2.

War: Korean War
Service Dates: July 1953 to April 1956
Branch: United States Army
Unit: Infantry
Service Locations: 
Korea
Guam
San Bernardino, CA
Highest Rank: CPL
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Good Conduct Medal
US Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
National Defense Medall
Birth Year: 1933
Place of Birth: Birmingham, Alabama

War: Vietnam
Service Dates: 1966–1968
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 1st Logistical Command
Service Locations: 
Ft. Bliss, Texas
Ft. Lewis, Washington
Vietnam
Highest Rank: Specialist 4th Class E-4
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietname Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Birth Year: 1945
Place of Birth: Compton, California

War: Korean
Service Dates: Sept.1946–Apr. 1947
Branch: United States Army
Service Location: 
Los Angeles
Highest Rank: Private First Class
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Victory Medal
Birth Year: 1927
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Mr. Wong also provided the following information about his military service:

Dr. Alwyn A. Wong practiced medicine in Cerritos for over 30 years as well as being a Cerritos resident.

War: Korean War
Service Dates: May 1952 to April 1956
Branch: United States Air Force
Unit: Hq Sq 21st ABGRU
Service Location: 
Park AFB, CA
Hamilton AFB, CA
George AFB, CA
Chambley AB, France
Highest Rank: A/2C
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
National Defense Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year: 1933
Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas

War: Korea
Service Dates: February 1954 to February 1958
Branch: USMC
Unit: Co "C" First Bn, 3rd Mar 3rd Mar Div. FMF
Service Locations: 
Camp Pendelton, CA
Okinawa, Japan
Highest Rank: Corporal (Acting Sergeant)
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award)
United Nations, Korean Medal
Birth Year: 1937
Place of Birth: Canton, China

War:  Korean
Service Dates:
 1947-1951
Branch:
  United States Air Force
Unit:  
Training CommandMobile Training Group
Service Location:  United States
Guam
England
Highest Rank:  Sergeant
Medals/Special Service Awards:  
Good Conduct Medal
Birth Year:  1929
Place of Birth:
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mr. Zawrotny also provided the following information about his military service:

Fresh out of high school and after a summer of sandlot baseball, I enlisted in the Army Air Force at Youngstown, Ohio in October of 1947. After completing Basic Training in Texas and 18 months of aircraft training school classes in Mississippi and Illinois, I wound up on the Island of Guam in June 1949.

My specialty was Instructor for all of the electrical equipment and wiring systems of the B-29 Bomber to ground crews and flight crews. Our tour on Guam was for seven months duration. During this time we weathered a Category 3-force typhoon.

In June 1950, back in Illinois, I was three months from discharge when the Korean War erupted. My disappointment at having to serve an additional year changed to enthusiasm when I was able to go to England with a B-50 Bomber Training Unit. During my six-month stay there, near Liverpool, I met my future wife-to-be.

I returned stateside in March of 1951 and was discharged in October. My English lady arrived shortly after and we were married in November. The marriage resulted in four children, one of whom became a captain in the United States Air Force.

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.