World War II Honoree

Pablo Comacho

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE WAS 20 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY. HE WAS SWORN IN AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS BASIC TRAINING. AFTER TRAINING HE WAS SHIPPED TO FORT HOOD AT KILLEEN, TEXAS WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 169TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 43RD DIVISION AS A SQUAD LEADER OF THE INFANTRY PLATOON. AFTER ADDITIONAL TRAINING HE WAS ASSIGNED AS A HEAVY MACHINE GUNNER WITH THE PRIMARY WEAPON A 30 CALIBER MACHINE GUN. AFTER TRAINING HE WAS PROMOTED TO PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. AFTER THIS TRAINING HE WAS SHIPPED OUT TO FORT ORD, CALIFORNIA TO PREPARE FOR SHIPMENT TO THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HIS FIRST LANDING WAS IN THE RUSSELL ISLANDS, THEN TO GUADALCANAL, NEW GUINEA, NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS AND THEN TO LUZON. HIS REGIMENT WAS ORDERED TO TAKE BAGUIO AND THE BATTLE OF BATAAN ENSUED TO SUPPORT THE ATTACKING FORCES. HIS COMPANY WAS ORDERED TO SET UP AT A BRIDGE WHERE THE JAPANESE WERE ATTACKING. HIS EXPERTISE WITH THE MACHINE GUN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE SUCCESS OF THE MISSION. WHILE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, THE BOMB WAS DROPPED AND JAPAN SURRENDERED. THE 169TH WAS SHIPPED BACK TO FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON WHERE IT WAS DISBANDED. HE WAS PLACED ONBOARD A TROOP TRAIN FOR FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS WHERE HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY. DURING HIS TOUR HE RECEIVED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND ONE SERVICE STRIPE WITH 6 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS. HE WAS RELEASED ON OCTOBER 30, 1945 WITH 39 MONTHS ON ACTIVE DUTY. HE WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY.