SSGT Retired

U. S. Army Retired SSGT Dolores Gamboa has been received in the Kingdom of God by HIS loving arms and singing angels on Thursday, the 4th of December in the year 2014 at 1600 Hours. He was so peaceful and ready to be joined with the love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Antonia B. Gamboa and parents, Nicanor and Juanita Gamboa, brothers and sisters Margarita Martinez, Minerva Frost, Carmela Gamboa, Jose Nicanor Gamboa, and Juan Gamboa. His father and mother-in-law Jesus and Concepcion Barrera and brothers-in-law, Daniel (killed in War World II), George, Macedonio, and Felipe Barrera and best friend Pablo Valdez. "Papi Lolo" as he was known to his loved ones, leaves his children Rev. Tonie Gamboa, Juanita (Jorge) Zavala, Ramiro (Guadalupe), Javier (Felicitas), and Gerardo (Marie); 25 grandchildren: Karina (Frank), Arturo, Jorge Jr., Yvette (Joe), Michelle, Priscilla (Gilbert), Ramiro Jr. (Yvette), Jessica, Gabriel, David (Jasmine), Jennifer (Daryl), Rebekah (Joe),Gerardo Jr. (Amada), Jaylyssa (Hector), and Isela (Jonathan); 39 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; along with sisters-in-law Aurora Gamboa Mariana Gamboa, and Olga Barrera and his favorite nephews Alberto (Pollo), Sergio (Keko), Jorge (Koke), and Genaro; and cousins Chito Solis and Conrado Gamboa to continue living his legacy of patriotism, great character, determination, perseverance, to fight for the voiceless, stand for the hopeless, and serve all of mankind regardless of the color of their skin. Dolores served in the military since the age of 16 years old until his retirement in 1970. He was 16 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He originally joined the Naval Service but they soon discovered that he was under aged. His parents finally signed governmental papers which allowed him to join the Army. This fulfilled his desire to come to the aid of this country. He was sworn in and attended basic training at Camp Wallace, Texas where he was assigned to the 816th Army Air Corp. receiving specialized training in basic infantry arms. Since the United States at the time was fully engulfed in the war in Europe and the Pacific his training was geared in getting troops to the front lines as soon as possible. He was ordered to the European Theater of operations. He was shipped to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in preparation for the European Front. He travelled in the HMS Queen Mary a converted luxury liner for the 7 day trip to Liverpool, England. He received additional training in infantry and small arms training prior to the invasion of Normandy. Corporal Gamboa was shipped over to the Port of La Havre, France which was the staging of the supply depot for the invading armies. He was assigned to the Red Ball Express. This unit supported General George Patton's 3rd army in the blitz across France and into Germany. Corporal Gamboa saw duty in direct combat in the battles of Northern France, the Ardennes Forest, Rhineland and the final invasion of Berlin. He was there during the coldest winter in 50 years in the Battle of the Bulge where men froze to death in the foxholes. Corporal Gamboa suffered frostbite to both feet. Even though the German Army was able to force the Allied forces to retreat which ultimately did not last long. General Patton and his 3rd Army of American Forces were able to overcome the Germans and force their way into Berlin and force the surrender of Germany. Cpl. Gamboa along with other local soldiers were part of these forces. They saw the Prisoner of War camps and the Concentration Camps where the Jewish population endured emancipated and deplorable conditions as prisoners of war and where many were put to death by the Germans. Dwight D. Eisenhower sent word to the troops to take photos as they know the world would not believe what was happening in that part of the world. During this tour he saw serious combat in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. After the invasion Cpl. Gamboa was shipped back to Liverpool, England in a troop ship to New York City. When he saw the Statue of Liberty in the New York Harbor he knew he had made it home. He was assigned to the Sioux Falls Artillery Air Field in North Dakota. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, The European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, The National Defense Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He went on to join the Army Reserve and enroll in the Laredo Junior College under the G. I. Bill and received training in metal arts. With the outbreak of the Korean Conflict he rejoined and was sent to Korea. He fought the Red Chinese in actual combat and during that tour one day in the early hours, they invaded Korea. He received training in 1952 as a fire fighter and received high commendations for his hard work. He continued in the reserves and was called up into active duty by the President and served three tours of duty of actual combat in Vietnam. At one time he was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay where he was in charge of general supply. Upon his retirement and for many years thereafter he had photos that would bring back fond memories of the USO concerts that BOB Hope would bring to the troops in Vietnam. He was so proud to show off his pictures of Raquel Welch, Barbara McNair, Nancy Sinatra, Petula Clark and the Les Brown Orchestra. His children grew up listening to the music of the Glen Miller Band and the Rat Pack Group. We knew he was in the Christmas mood when he would play Bing Crosby's White Christmas. While stationed in Leavenworth, Kansas he was appointed to the Honor Guard Academy, where he trained soldiers throughout the nation to be the best in the Honor Guard Program and present the American Flag proudly. MEDALS: Gamboa was awarded 5 Good Conduct Medals, Distinguished Unit Badge, Europe Africa Middle East Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, Korea Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam DUE Counter Service Medal, Phase 3, 4, & 5, CIB Combat Medal Army Commendation Medal, and several Bronze Stars. For many years everyone knew that there was the delicious Carne Asada and Carnero ribs and baked beans every Sunday. After Lunch we would all gather to watch Tom Landry and the famous Roger Staubach take the Cowboys to victory. Throughout the years everyone from the neighborhood knew that Gamboa would sit in the front porch at 4 p.m. and wave to everyone who passed by and tell them "It's Miller Time". Two months ago he had the honor and privileged to be a part of the Veteran's Honor Flight that gave him and several Veterans from Laredo the opportunity to visit the WWII, Korean, and the Vietnam Memorials in Washington, D.C. It was there at the Vietnam Memorial where he asked to be taken to Sgt. Pat McClusky's name. He recalled the fierce combat he and his troops were engaged in and how he held young Sgt. Patty's injured body and promised him that he would be fine. Gamboa was so moved when the tour guide pointed to the name on the Vietnam wall. In tears he told Patty how sorry he was that he couldn't help him to come back home. The family would like to thank Dr. Mateo Reyes for his kindness in caring for SSGT Gamboa with such dignity and respect. Dr. Mateo and his nurses Juani and Judy's loving care gave him an extra 3 years to live. Selina, Frank, and Jerry from Border Skills. His caregivers, Ofelia, Carolina, and this past year Bertha who took care of him 24 hours a day with such love and admiration. Also his nephews Gilbert Gamboa, Alberto, Sergio, Jorge, and nieces Angelica, Janie, and Peggy who would visit him at the hospital regularly. Viola, Liza and Michael Dominguez for being such great neighbors and a part of our family, along with Nico, Don Juan, the Lara and Nieto families who watched over him and his wife for many years. Thank you for being our gatekeepers. To his veteran comrades, Arnold, Gero, Tony, Doug, Chambi, Reynaldo, Hilario, Carlos, Cayetano, and those still here and those that have gone on, we salute you. Juan and La Reynera Bakery, Mr. Rodriguez, Alma, Luz, Lulu, and Genaro, Sylvia and La Mexicana Restaurant, and McDonalds on Saunders. Lastly, to the Retama Manor West Nursing Home who gave him the happiest and most beautiful memories especially on his recent 91st birthday party where he was surrounded by friends and family and danced all afternoon to the music of Javier Richard and Andrew Michael. "Mil Gracias" Susie, Stephanie, Ms. Gonzalez, Mary, Zenon, Karina, Ana, Cristina, Karen, Alicia, Maria, Gloria, Krystal, Judy, Chelo, Ferdie, Analisa, Jimena, and Director Ricky Gonzalez. You cared for him as a rare and precious gemstone and the staff treated him during his last days with such love and tenderness. We will never be able to repay you for the blessing you were in our lives. Memorial services will be held on Monday, December 15th with visitation from 5 to 9p.m. at the Casa Blanca Ballroom, 5302 E. Saunders St., Laredo, Texas 78041. We will have a Veteran's Tribute and Celebration of Life Ceremony at 6 p.m. With music by Javier Richard and a Mariachi performance. Army Chaplain, Dr. Gregory Cruell will minister and a Veteran's Parade of Flags by all local Veterans Organizations, and the MHS Jr. ROTC will conclude the ceremony. All Veterans are invited to participate in the Parade with your own flags and uniforms. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 16th at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd. with a Chapel Service commencing at 8:15 a.m. Funeral procession will depart from the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. to the Laredo City Cemetery for his graveside service. Full Military Honors will be provided by the Ft. Sam Houston Honor Guard as well as the American Legion Post 59. In lieu of flowers you are invited to make a donation to the SSGT. Dolores Gamboa Memorial Scholarship Fund, where proceeds are awarded to local area high school students. You may express your condolences to the family online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956) 722-8850.