RIP Menandro Bocobo Parazo, 26th Cavalry Regt.

[friscohare]

My condolences and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Parazo.

From USMF:

Captain Menandro Bocobo Parazo (US Army, Ret.), age 93 of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully on August 25, 2011 in Plano. He was born on March 4, 1918 to Eduardo Parazo and Maxima Bocobo in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines. Menandro married Teofila Santos Parazo on July 6, 1945 in Manila, Philippines.

He served his country in the United States Army in World War II in the last U.S. Horse Cavalry. He earned three bronze stars, several military commendations, numerous medals and attained the rank of Captain during his 30 plus years of distinguished and dedicated military service.

Menandro was a former Prisoner of War, surviving the infamous Bataan Death March. He was twice captured and tortured by the Japanese forces and escaped to join the U.S. Liberation forces at the Battle of Manila.

. . . . . . . . . .

Interment will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia where Retired Captain Menandro Parazo will be buried with full military honors.

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Obituary and guestbook here:

Menandro Bocobo Parazo

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A local TV stattion ran a nice video article about a week ago but for some reason it has not been posted online. I am trying to locate it now. One of Mr Parazo's sons had some very interesting comments re getting servicemen/women to tell their stories so their history and legacy will survive.

[friscohare]

Also, here's the obit from Dallas News... It's an interesting read.



Captain Menandro Bocobo Parazo (US Army, Ret.), age 93 of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully on August 25, 2011 in Plano. He was born on March 4, 1918 to Eduardo Parazo and Maxima Bocobo in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines. Menandro married Teofila Santos Parazo on July 6, 1945 in Manila, Philippines.

He served his country in the United States Army in World War II in the last U.S. Horse Cavalry. He earned three bronze stars, several military commendations, numerous medals and attained the rank of Captain during his 30 plus years of distinguished and dedicated military service. Menandro was a former Prisoner of War, surviving the infamous Bataan Death March.

He was twice captured and tortured by the Japanese forces and escaped to join the U.S. Liberation forces at the Battle of Manila.

Mr. Parazo lived in El Paso, Texas for over 40 years and was an instructor for the radar and missile school in Fort Bliss, Texas. He was a charter member of the Filipino-American Association in El Paso and served several terms as president of that organization. He was a much sought after guest speaker at many civic and military events educating and informing audiences of the significance of the Bataan Death March and World War II history.

Ysleta High School in El Paso honored Retired Capt. Parazo by annually honoring an outstanding ROTC cadet with the Menandro B. Parazo Service Trophy. He was a member of the American Ex-Pow Association where he served as Commander for several terms, the Military Order of World Wars, the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, the Wounded Warriors, the Military Order of Purple Hearts, The El Paso Toastmasters Association, the Knights of Columbus and the Fort Bliss Historical Society. Mr. Parazo's life and military history is documented at the Admiral Nimitz Pacific War Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas and his footprints are permanently placed at the "Heroes of Bataan Death March Memorial Monument" in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

He was a featured guest on the series "Texas Hill Country Reporter" for his role in the Bataan Death March Reenactment that takes place annually at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Ret. Capt. Parazo has been featured several times as a survivor on the History Channel.

Many authors of World War II history books interviewed him to document and substantiate military facts and events used in their writings. Most recently, his description of the bombing of Bataan and Corregidor in which the U.S. Horse Calvary was called to protect General Douglas MacArthur is documented in the book, "The Pacific, Part I Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal" by Jay Wertz.

Menandro is survived by his children, Justice Parazo and wife, Gayle of Frisco, Texas, Abraham Parazo and wife, Anita of San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Don Parazo and wife, Angela of Palmdale, California, Julianne Booth and husband, Rodney of Plano, Texas and daughter-in-law, Mary Parazo of El Paso, Texas. His legacy will be remembered and carried on by his grandchildren, Bethanne Stufflebean, Taryn Courtney Morrow, Brandon Justice Parazo, Ean Anthony Cavazos, Erica Elena Parazo, Andrea Belen Parazo, Alana Gabriel Parazo, Matthew Don Parazo, Stephanie Chin Parazo, Michal Joanne Booth and Madison Jennifer Booth.

He has eight great-grandchildren and three surviving sisters, Bess Baluyot, Flerida Cruz and Nieves Jazier of the Philippines. He was uncle to many nieces and nephews, and "uncle" to many Philippine nurses as he helped them and their families as they first arrived in the U.S. and a host of friends from around the country and from his many travels. Wife, Teofila Santos Parazo, his parents and three brothers and three sisters precede him in death.

The family will receive friends during Visitations to be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home at 8520 Main Street in Frisco, Texas on Monday, August 29, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, Texas from 11:00 am to 12 noon. The Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano with Father Bruce Bradley presiding.

Interment will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia where Retired Captain Menandro Parazo will be buried with full military honors.

"I now close my military career and my life and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty." General Douglas MacArthur

To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Plain-O-Helpers, Custer Road United Methodist Church, 6601 Custer Road, Plano, Texas 75023 in memory and dedication of Menandro B. Parazo.

[VeeVee]

Sean, thank you for posting this. I was away and haven't been online a lot. I wouldn't have known. I'll thank the USMF member who posted it too.

Capt. Fernandez was just asking for his contact info from me a few weeks ago. He said he missed him and was going to send him a postcard because he stopped replying to emails.

We've lost a lot of Scouts this year.

Rest in peace Capt Parazo.

Capt. Parazo (right-most) with fellow 26th Cavalrymen (2009 reunion)
Left to right - Isabelo Torio, Ed Ramsey, Dan Figuracion, Menandro Parazo



Talking with fellow cavalrymen. Left to right - Menandro Parazo, Isabelo Torio, Dan Figuracion

[26th]

It was an Honor meeting you twice Captain Parazo.

You will see your buddies in Fiddlers Green.

Rudy/26thCav

[legionnaire]

I also had the honor to meet Capt. Parazo at the reunions.

A hero of the greatest generation.

Philip

[VeeVee]

Capt. Parazo will be buried in Arlington on Dec 19th.

Here's a TV news coverage of his passing away back in August. Sent in by his daughter:

dfw.cbslocal.com/video/6218696-plano-family-bids-farewell-to-a-committed-filipino-wwii-veteran/

[26th]

Victor:

Will try this way for info. No hear from you or Donald if anyone going to Arlington 12-19.

Looking into it myself and talked to Abe. Funeral at 12:30

Rudy

[VeeVee]

Today I had the privilege along with two 26th Cavalry reenactor friends to honor Capt. Parazo’s family’s request to have representatives in PS period uniform at the funeral service. Two friends from the WW2 Reenactor forum and from the Tank Farm event fulfilled the family’s request. I can’t thank them enough. They said it was an honor for them and wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to pay respect.

We marched directly behind the caisson and the horses from the Fort Myer Post Chapel all the way to the gravesite. The band, honor guards, and firing party marched ahead of the caisson. It was only about a 15-20 minute walk but probably the most meaningful one for me.

At the PSHS reunions, I’ve always mentioned to Capt. Parazo how I’d like to do the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands, New Mexico. He usually attended that event. I told him I’d do it one year and go meet up with him there. I never got to do it and it’s now too late. But I was there for him today, walking behind the caisson carrying his casket.

I don’t have pictures nor videos at all except for this taken afterwards.




Godspeed sir.

[legionnaire]

Thank for representing the Scouts and for posting this report from Arlington.
They slowly fade away, But we will continue to keep their legacy and history alive.

Philip