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First Name: Manuel
Last Name: Centeno
Birthplace: Houston, TX, USA
Gender: Male
Branch: Army (1784 - present)
Home of Record: Durango, Dgo, MEX |
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Middle Name: Castillo
Date of Birth: 29 May 1929
Date of Death: 21 May 1951
Rank: Corporal
Years Served: 2 |
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Manuel was born in Texas, moved with his family to Mexico at the age of 3, and returned to Texas as a young man in search of a better life. Soon thereafter, he was drafted, sent to Fort Ord in California and shipped to Korea. The following is from his Silver Star Award for gallantry in action (see photo):
Corporal Centeno was a member of Company G, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on 21 May 1951 in the vicinity of Paknam-gol.
Centeno was an automatic rifleman ordered to attack and secure an enemy strong point atop a ridge line. As the company moved forward with the 2nd platoon in the lead, and approached within 100 yards of their objective, they were suddenly pinned down by heavy grenade and weapons fire. Centeno realizing the seriousness of the situation and without regard for his personal safety inched his way forward to an exposed position from which he could direct more accurate fire. So effective was his fire that he destroyed two enemy machine gun emplacements enabling his unit to resume its advance. As a result of his continued exposure, he was mortally wounded. The gallant conduct and devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Centeno reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Centeno was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
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