Filipinos US Military Service in Iraq & Afghanistan

Iraq War Soldiers

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 Partial List of Iraq War Veterans:

 

Bobby Agpaoa born Madamba Dingras Ilocos Norte; post Iraq Pres. Honolulu Filipino Jr. Chamber of Commerce

 

Metodio Bandonil

 

Solomon C. Bangayan born Philippines died in Baghdad ambushed; buried in S. Francisco Norte Sadipan La Union;  Army Spc 2nd Battalion 325th Airborne Inf Regt 82nd Airborne Div; Award: Bronze Star, Purple Star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; resident of Vermont

 

Melson Bacos Corpsman born 1986 Chicago 3rd Class 3rd Bn 5th Marines Regt stationed West Baghdad 2nd tour in Iraq Award: Purple Heart

 

Leonard Belarmino Cpt 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron

 

Kelly Martin Liberato Bolor born 12/20/1965 Wailuku Maui ; died 11/15/2003 Mosul Iraq; UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash; buried Maui Memorial Park; Army Sfc; 137th Quartermaster Co.; also in Persian Gulf War; Award: Hawaii Medal of Honor, Purple Heart Medal; Bronze Star Medal, Army Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal & Humanitarian Service Medal. Bolor Hall was named in his honor; his twin brother & another younger brother also in the military

 

Mario Bonifacio Cpt born 1981 California; deployed in Iraq (2006)

 

Joseph “Jay” Brisenio Jr wounded 2003 in Iraq; became quadriplegic & severely disabled w/ brain injuries; resident of Manassas Park Virginia; son of a retired Army Sgt; Awards: Bronze Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal & Combat Army Badge

 

Cristopher Bunda born 1975 Philippines; Casualty; missing 1/25/2004 when an Iraqi police boat in which he was riding on in a river patrol capsized; body found found in the Tigris River near Mosul 2/2004 SSgt, a sniper & a squad leader with the Stryker's 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment; from East Bremerton Washington; was on the Navy Reserves for 2 yrs before serving in the Army Award: Bronze Star for Meritorious Service; body was cremated

 

Francisco Bustos SSgt 40th Transportation Co. deployed near Mosul Northern Iraq 2005

 

Mark Ryan Climaco-Caguioa born 3/1/1985 Stockton, California; DOW 5/24/2007 Nat Naval Med Center Bethesda Md. (IED 5/4/2007 South Baghdad while on patrol) tombstone @ Arlington, remains buried @ San Francisco Presidio; Specialist Army 1st Batt.5th Cav Regt, 2nd Brig Combat   Team, 1st Cav Div; Awards: Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart of Courage Civilian Occupation: Trained sushi chef

   http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/mrccaguioa.htm

 

Jay Salcedo Cajimat born 1/26/1987 in Manila; DOW on 4/6/2007caused by a roadside car bomb that exploded near his unit in Baghdad, buried Maui Veterans Cemetery Pfc, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division; resident of Lahaina, Hawaii

Lewis Thomas Duquez Calapini born 1985 in Bangui, Ilocos Norte; died 1/23/2006 MVA Taqqadum, Iraq; buried Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery;  2nd Iraq deployment; USMC Pvt., Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade Award: Hawaii Medal of Honor; Orencio, Sr, his grandfather was a WW11 Philippine Scout

 

Greg Calim Battery B 5th Battalion 5th Air Defense Artillery Regt

 

Chriz Caraang Major; 490th Civil Affairs Bn; also Honolulu police

 

Deyson K. Cariaga born Honolulu Hawaii; died on 7/3/2005 in Al Hammadi, Iraq, when the HMMWV in which he was riding struck a land mine; buried @ the National Cemetery of the Pacific; Sgt, Army National Guard's 229th Military Intelligence Company, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade

 

Kenith Casica born 1973 in the Philippines; killed 12/10/2005 by small-arms fire in Baghdad; Army Sgt. 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division; had lived in Hawaii and California & resident of Virginia Beach since 1985; he had been injured by shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade during his first deployment. joined the Army 1992 Award: U.S. citizenship (posthumous)

 

Jose R. “Dick” Corpus, born 1954 Quezon City Philippines Cpt Chief of Staff Carrier Group 5 (CAR GRU 5) also known as the Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Strike Group, Navy’s only permanently forward deployed Naval Force; Award: Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Defense Medal w/2 gold stars; Navy Commendation Medal w/ 3 gold star; Bronze Star Medal 7/12/2003 “for providing combat air support during Operation Iraqi Freedom” US Naval Academy 1977 grad; immigrated to Seattle Wash @ 13 yrs of age w/ parents, also a Persian Gulf Veteran

 

Richard “Valiant” Correa born 1982 Lingayen Pangasinan; DOW 4/29/2007 in Ilbu Farlis, Iraq when an IEd detonated while he was on foot patrol; buried in Barangay Maniboc Lingayen Pangasinan, Philippines; Army Sgt (3rd Iraq tour) & squad leader in 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry); resident of Honolulu, Hawaii; former Air Force (2000); Awards: Purple Heart, Army commendation Medal, National Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab & other Air Force awards

 

Sirlou C. Cuaresma born 198; died 6/21/2006 in Baghdad of a non-combat related cause on his third tour of duty;  Sgt 68th Engineer Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 13th Containment Command (Expeditionary; death is under investigation.; resident of Chicago

 

Edgar P. Daclan Jr born 1985 Cebu Philippines died 9/10/2004 IED Balad Iraq Spc 1st Bn 18th Inf 1st Inf Div Army Combat Medic Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart; resident of Cypress California; immigrated fr. Philippines 1993

 

Richard Thomas Ong Davis born 3/14/1978; murdered on 7/15/2003 in Georgia; buried Sunset Hills Memorial Park Apple Valley California; Spc Army. Richard joined the Army in 1998; was sent to Bosnia; re-enlisted & was sent to Iraq in 2003 w/ 3rd Inf Div B Co. Two days after he returned from Iraq he banished & was missing for months, until his burned body was discovered in the woods near Ft. Benning. Four soldiers in his troops, who were last seen w/ him before he disappeared, were brought to trial & convicted. Mark Boal wrote the book “Death & Dishonor” in 2004 which became the basis of the movie “In the Valley of Elah”. Susan Sarandon played the role of Remy, Richard’s Pilipina mother, a former Army Medic & native of Cagayan Valley Philippines. Larry, Richard’s father & a Korean & Vietnam wars veteran pursued the murder mystery of his son that lead to the trial of his murderers. Lanny & Remy established the Richard T. Davis Foundation for Peace in his honor.

 

Jeremy Dimaranan

 

Richwell Doria KIA 11/7/2006 Kirkuk 25y Army SSgt from Dagupan Pangasinan

 

Jason Ongkeko Doyle US Naval Academy, 2005 grad Lt Senior Grade, a naval flight officer, flying a P-3, served in Iraq & was also assigned in Europe, Cameroon, Israel and Japan; grdson of Hermie (1951 PMA grad) & Ludy A. Ongkeko

 

Viviene Escalona born N.J; 1st Lt Illinois National Guard; deployed in Iraq 2/2004 to 3/2005 as Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) platoon leader Co Bravo Co 50th Main Support Bn

 

Kyle Fernandez Award: Hawaii Medal of Honor

 

Victor M. Fontanilla born 1984; died 5/17/2007 Iskandariya Iraq Army Pfc, 23y resident of Stockton Ca

 

Maurice Keith Fortune

 

Sonny Franco born 1967 Philippines; SSgt 40th Transportation Co. deployed near Mosul Northen Iraq 2005; arr. from Philippines in 1987

Alexander Udarbe Gagalac, from Wahiawa, was killed on 9/9/2007 while on patrol in Hawijah, Iraq;. Army Sergeant; with the 25th Infantry Division.; second combat tour in Iraq; buried at the National Cemetery of the Pacific

Greg Phil Gagarin born 1/4/1970 in Candon Ilocos Sur; died in Thania Iraq on 6/3/2007 KIA IED  on his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq SSgt Army Bravo Battery, 1-37 Field Artillery, 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team; buried in Candon; also Persian Gulf War veteran; resident of Los Angeles California. His father retired from the Air Force after 20 yrs; an older brother also in the Army

 

Ruel Mamaril Garcia * born 8/24/1971 Phil; pilot died 1/16/2006 AH-64 Apache helicopter crash (shot down) Taji Iraq; buried Polo( Bulacan) Memorial Park  Army CWO, 1st Bn 4th Aviation Regt, Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf Div Ft Hood Tx; 2nd tour in Iraq; Award: Bronze Star (posthumous); Purple Heart, Air Medal;  moved to United States 1987; was in the Air Force 1992-1996; resident of Wahiawa Hawaii

 

Christine Marie “Crissy” Gayagas Lt Col 3rd Corps Multinational Hdqtrs. Baghdad International Airport 13 months tour; 1984 West Point grad; daughter of Col. (Ret) Edwin “Ed” Gayagas

 

Oscar B. Hilman Brigadier General born 1950 in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, Philippines; Phil College of Criminology BSc grad; moved to the United States in 1968 drafted U.S. Army 6/1969; Commander of Washington (State) Army National Guard 81st Brigade Combat Team; served in Iraq 4/2004-2005 Camp Anaconda; post war: retired after 36 yrs; a non-commissioned officer who rose from ranks; son of a U.S. Navy Master Chief w/ 32 yrs service; his grdfather & uncle both Death March casualties

 

Joseph Neal Hudson POW @ 23 yrs old; Cpl 507th ambushed 3/23/2003 near Nasiriyah Iraq, rescued by U.S. Marines after 22 days of captivity; medical retirement on 80% disability; resident of New Mexico

 

Ferdinand Ibabao

 

Reno S. Lacerna born 4/25/1963 Manila Philippines; died 12/31/2007 Al Qayyarah Iraq of illness; buried Manila Memorial Park Paranaque; resident of Waipahu Hawaii; 3rd Inf Div; 87th Corp Support Bn; Awards: Bronze Star (posthumous)

 

Mar Lagat Sgt 1st Class 411th Engineer Hawaii Army Reserve

 

Medardo Lagat Sgt 411th Engineer Combat Heavy Battalion

 

Patrick Lapitan 29th Brigade Combat Team assigned to Kuwait & Iraq 1/2005; from Hawaii

 

Nino Livaudais born Zambales Philippines mother Divina

 

Jason  Luis  served @ Camp Victory Baghdad; Army 320th Engineer Co (Topographic);130th Eng Co (2005-2006) homebase Hanau Germany.

 

Rolando Luis, served w/ the  Army 173rd Airborne Brigade homebase Caserma Ederle Vicenza, Italy; included in the 1,000 paratrooper who performed a historic combat jump to Bashur  Iraq 3/26/2003, served in Kirkuk Iraq until l2/20/2004

 

Blake Antonio Magaoay born 7/3/1984; died 11/30/2004 KIA in Fallujah, Iraq; Cpl, Marines' 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, was hit by small arms fire while on his 2nd tour in Iraq; buried at Hawaii’s National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Awards: Gold Star (2); Purple Heart, Hawaii Medal of Honor

 

Michael T. Manibog born 1977 DOW IED 2/8/2008 in Taji, Iraq; buried Lone Tree Cemetery Hayward Ca. Spc,1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division resident of San Leandro,Ca

 

Ian Manuel Award: Hawaii Medal of Honor mother Tita Derrow from Bicol

 

Myla L Maravillosa born 1981; DOW 12/ 24 /2005  in Kirkuk, Iraq from injuries suffered during RPG attack near Al Hawijah Iraq; buried Inabanga Bohol; resident of Wahiawa, Hawaii ; Sgt  C Company, 301st Military Intelligence Battalion.

Featured in a collection of paintings by artist Barbara Lee that honors American women killed under military assignment to Iraq

http://www.borntowar.com

Jude C. Mariano born 1965 died 2/10/2004 from injuries 10 days after MVA in Doha Quatar. Airforce MSgt;  615th Air Mobility Operations Squadron; about 35 of Mariano’s relatives, including his father and two brothers, have served in the military in every U.S. conflict since World War II; resident of Vallejo, Calif. & computer specialist

Joseph Menusa born 1970 Philippines; died 3/27/2033 Iraq in an ambush; Gunnery Sgt 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Military service: 14 yrs; resident of Tracy California, name engraved in Tracy Civic Cntr Plaza Awards: US citizenship posthumous, also in Persian Gulf War

 

Peter Navarro born 1985 resident of Wildwood Missouri died 12/13/2005 in an attack Taji, Iraq Army specialist

 

Paulo Marko U. Pacificador born 1983; died 8/13/2007 Qayyarah Iraq; buried Calverton Memorial Park NY; resident of Shirley NY; parents from Cagayan Valley

 

Mark Pagkalinawan Spc served in Ramadi for 15 months

 

Dennis Pintor died 10/12/2004; buried US Military Academy; resident of Lima Ohio Cpt West Point 1998 20th Engr Bn 1st Cavalry Div Bravo Co Commander; also served @ Kosovo

Rel Ravago 1V born 1982; died 11/23/2003 in Mosul, Iraq when his vehicle was attacked by an angry mob. Army Spc; 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); resident of Glendale, Calf.

Garry Wesley Rimes born 1975 Philippines; died April 1, 2005 Al Anbar, Iraq was shot by insurgents while rushing to the aid of another Marine; Cpl, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, attached to the 2nd Marine Division in Iraq; Awards: the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; resident of Santa Maria; immigrated 1996; enlisted w/ Marines 1997; re-enlisted 2001

Lester Roque died 11/10/2007 Army Specialist, 23y Carson Ca

 

Cristopher David Rose born 2/4/1985 Vallejo, died 6/29/2006 of injuries sustained from an IED during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq & also while recovering from a previous IED injury ( this is addition to his 1st IED incident where he was ordered to shoot 3 runaways that turned out to be 3 kids & killed them which had made him sorrowful acc. to his family) buried Golden Gate Nat Cemetery; Cpl Army 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2) & Good Conduct Medal, resident of San Francisco, Calif; father (Rudy) a Vietnam War veteran; grdfather from Aklan (Benito)a  WW11 & Korean War veteran

 

Andres San Agustin born 1960; died 6/30/2008 victim of car crash accident Los Angeles Ca, his wife (Maribeth) & a 4 yr son (Angelo) also died; buried Manila Memorial Park Paranaque Philippines; Navy medical corpsman served 7 months in Iraq (2007)

 

O. J. Santa Maria born 1982 Philippines; 8th Marines Regt 2nd Bn Lcpl machine gunner; severely wounded by shrapnel in Nasiriya Iraq; Award: Purple Heart; a Daly City Ca resident; enlisted 10/2001

 

Cameron Sarno Hawaii Medal of Honor

Antonio Mario Taguba Maj General born 10/31/1950 Sampalok Manila; became known worldwide for a 2004 classified Taguba Report of cases of torture at the Iraq Abu Ghraib. Although he did not perform combat duty in Iraq our website about the Iraq War will be incomplete without mentioning Gen Taguba; military service 1972-1/1/2007 commander Army 2d Brig, 2D Armored Division Awards: Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army General Staff identification badge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Taguba

Michael E. Tayaotao born 1980 San Diego Ca; DOW 8/9/2007 suffered while conducting combat operations in Anbar, Iraq; Sgt, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force from Sunnyvale, California on 3rd tour of duty; military service: 1998-2007

Morgan Tulang 3/2/2007

 

Joselito Villanueva born 12/8/1968; died 9/27/2004 in Balad, Iraq shot by a sniper when he was at an observation post, Sfc  9th Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Army; resident of Los Angeles, California; Award: Purple Heart, also served Persian Gulf

 

 

Dedicated to our sons & daughters:

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

 

                                                            Anonymous

 

 

 

 

Down from Heaven

 

Lt. Col.Byron Paige

 

Down from heaven comes eleven and there's Hell to pay below.
Shout "GERONIMO, GERONIMO!"

Hit the silk and check your canopy and take a look around.
The air is full of troopers set for battle on the ground.

                    Till we join the stick of “Angels” killed on Leyte and Luzon

Shout “GERONIMO, GERONIMO!”

It's a gory road to glory but we're ready, here we go.
Shout "GERONIMO, GERONIMO!"

 

Filipinos US Military Service in Iraq & Afghanistan