Corporal Alvarez was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was listed as Missing in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on December 2, 1950. He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Corporal Alvarez was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.
Soldier who had been MIA buried
By Alex Hinojosa / El Paso Times, Saturday, 28 Sep 2013
Family members described U.S. Army Cpl. Armando Alvarez as a really good kid and a great athlete who also shined shoes.
What set him apart was his answer to the call of duty in 1950 when the Korean War broke out.
But he did not return home until Friday -- 63 years later.
On Friday, Alvarez, of El Paso, was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
"Regardless of how long it has been, we are gathered here today under the sun to honor a great soldier," said Chaplain Virgil Thomas, who oversaw the memorial service.
Alvarez's sister, Virginia Romans, nodded and smiled as her brother's flag was handed to her.
About 20 people, including members of the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 249, were there to honor Alvarez and welcome him home.
Alvarez, served in the Task Force Faith 31st Regimental Combat Team in 1950.
According to the Department of Defense's Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, Alvarez and members of the combat team were in North Korea, along the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir, when the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces surrounded the regiment Nov. 27, 1950. The regiment was attacked for four nights and three days. The combat is known as the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
The battle continued through Dec. 1, when survivors were either taken as prisoners of war by the Chinese or were rescued by U.S. Marines. On Dec. 2, 1950, Alvarez was reported missing.
Alvarez's remains were found in 2004, when the U.S. and the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea excavated a field south of the P'ungnyuri inlet of the Chosin Reservoir, officials with the Defense Department's Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office said.
To identify Alvarez's remains, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial evidence and dental and DNA comparisons.
"Let us not forget he was only 20 years old," Thomas said. "He was doing what most men his age were doing at that time. And we are proud of this great soldier who served his country."
Across the nation, there are more than 7,900 soldiers who served in the Korean War who remain missing. Of those, 23 are from El Paso.
In 2011, the remains of Cpl. Eduardo "Lalo" Pedregon, of San Elizario, returned home after more than 60 years of being listed as missing in action.
Like Alvarez, Pedregon fought in the battle for the Chosin Reservoir, with Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment. Pedregon was reported missing in action Nov. 30, 1950.
On Sept. 20, Fort Bliss honored thousands of soldiers who were prisoners of war and who are missing in action during POW/MIA Recognition Day.
1940 United States Federal Census
about Armando Alvarez
Name: Armando Alvarez
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1931
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Street: South St Vrain Street
House Number: 300
Inferred Residence in 1935: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 7A
Attended School or College: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 2nd grade
Household Members:
Name Age
Adalfo Alvarez 49
Elvina Alvarez 40
Virginia Alvarez 13
Adolfo Alvarez 12
Armando Alvarez 9
Soldier who had been MIA buried
By Alex Hinojosa / El Paso Times, Saturday, 28 Sep 2013
Family members described U.S. Army Cpl. Armando Alvarez as a really good kid and a great athlete who also shined shoes.
What set him apart was his answer to the call of duty in 1950 when the Korean War broke out.
But he did not return home until Friday -- 63 years later.
On Friday, Alvarez, of El Paso, was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
"Regardless of how long it has been, we are gathered here today under the sun to honor a great soldier," said Chaplain Virgil Thomas, who oversaw the memorial service.
Alvarez's sister, Virginia Romans, nodded and smiled as her brother's flag was handed to her.
About 20 people, including members of the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 249, were there to honor Alvarez and welcome him home.
Alvarez, served in the Task Force Faith 31st Regimental Combat Team in 1950.
According to the Department of Defense's Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, Alvarez and members of the combat team were in North Korea, along the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir, when the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces surrounded the regiment Nov. 27, 1950. The regiment was attacked for four nights and three days. The combat is known as the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
The battle continued through Dec. 1, when survivors were either taken as prisoners of war by the Chinese or were rescued by U.S. Marines. On Dec. 2, 1950, Alvarez was reported missing.
Alvarez's remains were found in 2004, when the U.S. and the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea excavated a field south of the P'ungnyuri inlet of the Chosin Reservoir, officials with the Defense Department's Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office said.
To identify Alvarez's remains, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial evidence and dental and DNA comparisons.
"Let us not forget he was only 20 years old," Thomas said. "He was doing what most men his age were doing at that time. And we are proud of this great soldier who served his country."
Across the nation, there are more than 7,900 soldiers who served in the Korean War who remain missing. Of those, 23 are from El Paso.
In 2011, the remains of Cpl. Eduardo "Lalo" Pedregon, of San Elizario, returned home after more than 60 years of being listed as missing in action.
Like Alvarez, Pedregon fought in the battle for the Chosin Reservoir, with Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment. Pedregon was reported missing in action Nov. 30, 1950.
On Sept. 20, Fort Bliss honored thousands of soldiers who were prisoners of war and who are missing in action during POW/MIA Recognition Day.
1940 United States Federal Census
about Armando Alvarez
Name: Armando Alvarez
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1931
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Street: South St Vrain Street
House Number: 300
Inferred Residence in 1935: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 7A
Attended School or College: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 2nd grade
Household Members:
Name Age
Adalfo Alvarez 49
Elvina Alvarez 40
Virginia Alvarez 13
Adolfo Alvarez 12
Armando Alvarez 9
Corporal Alvarez was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was listed as Missing in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on December 2, 1950. He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Corporal Alvarez was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.
Soldier who had been MIA buried
By Alex Hinojosa / El Paso Times, Saturday, 28 Sep 2013
Family members described U.S. Army Cpl. Armando Alvarez as a really good kid and a great athlete who also shined shoes.
What set him apart was his answer to the call of duty in 1950 when the Korean War broke out.
But he did not return home until Friday -- 63 years later.
On Friday, Alvarez, of El Paso, was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
"Regardless of how long it has been, we are gathered here today under the sun to honor a great soldier," said Chaplain Virgil Thomas, who oversaw the memorial service.
Alvarez's sister, Virginia Romans, nodded and smiled as her brother's flag was handed to her.
About 20 people, including members of the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 249, were there to honor Alvarez and welcome him home.
Alvarez, served in the Task Force Faith 31st Regimental Combat Team in 1950.
According to the Department of Defense's Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, Alvarez and members of the combat team were in North Korea, along the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir, when the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces surrounded the regiment Nov. 27, 1950. The regiment was attacked for four nights and three days. The combat is known as the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
The battle continued through Dec. 1, when survivors were either taken as prisoners of war by the Chinese or were rescued by U.S. Marines. On Dec. 2, 1950, Alvarez was reported missing.
Alvarez's remains were found in 2004, when the U.S. and the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea excavated a field south of the P'ungnyuri inlet of the Chosin Reservoir, officials with the Defense Department's Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office said.
To identify Alvarez's remains, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial evidence and dental and DNA comparisons.
"Let us not forget he was only 20 years old," Thomas said. "He was doing what most men his age were doing at that time. And we are proud of this great soldier who served his country."
Across the nation, there are more than 7,900 soldiers who served in the Korean War who remain missing. Of those, 23 are from El Paso.
In 2011, the remains of Cpl. Eduardo "Lalo" Pedregon, of San Elizario, returned home after more than 60 years of being listed as missing in action.
Like Alvarez, Pedregon fought in the battle for the Chosin Reservoir, with Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment. Pedregon was reported missing in action Nov. 30, 1950.
On Sept. 20, Fort Bliss honored thousands of soldiers who were prisoners of war and who are missing in action during POW/MIA Recognition Day.
1940 United States Federal Census
about Armando Alvarez
Name: Armando Alvarez
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1931
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Street: South St Vrain Street
House Number: 300
Inferred Residence in 1935: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 7A
Attended School or College: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 2nd grade
Household Members:
Name Age
Adalfo Alvarez 49
Elvina Alvarez 40
Virginia Alvarez 13
Adolfo Alvarez 12
Armando Alvarez 9
Soldier who had been MIA buried
By Alex Hinojosa / El Paso Times, Saturday, 28 Sep 2013
Family members described U.S. Army Cpl. Armando Alvarez as a really good kid and a great athlete who also shined shoes.
What set him apart was his answer to the call of duty in 1950 when the Korean War broke out.
But he did not return home until Friday -- 63 years later.
On Friday, Alvarez, of El Paso, was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
"Regardless of how long it has been, we are gathered here today under the sun to honor a great soldier," said Chaplain Virgil Thomas, who oversaw the memorial service.
Alvarez's sister, Virginia Romans, nodded and smiled as her brother's flag was handed to her.
About 20 people, including members of the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 249, were there to honor Alvarez and welcome him home.
Alvarez, served in the Task Force Faith 31st Regimental Combat Team in 1950.
According to the Department of Defense's Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, Alvarez and members of the combat team were in North Korea, along the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir, when the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces surrounded the regiment Nov. 27, 1950. The regiment was attacked for four nights and three days. The combat is known as the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
The battle continued through Dec. 1, when survivors were either taken as prisoners of war by the Chinese or were rescued by U.S. Marines. On Dec. 2, 1950, Alvarez was reported missing.
Alvarez's remains were found in 2004, when the U.S. and the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea excavated a field south of the P'ungnyuri inlet of the Chosin Reservoir, officials with the Defense Department's Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office said.
To identify Alvarez's remains, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial evidence and dental and DNA comparisons.
"Let us not forget he was only 20 years old," Thomas said. "He was doing what most men his age were doing at that time. And we are proud of this great soldier who served his country."
Across the nation, there are more than 7,900 soldiers who served in the Korean War who remain missing. Of those, 23 are from El Paso.
In 2011, the remains of Cpl. Eduardo "Lalo" Pedregon, of San Elizario, returned home after more than 60 years of being listed as missing in action.
Like Alvarez, Pedregon fought in the battle for the Chosin Reservoir, with Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment. Pedregon was reported missing in action Nov. 30, 1950.
On Sept. 20, Fort Bliss honored thousands of soldiers who were prisoners of war and who are missing in action during POW/MIA Recognition Day.
1940 United States Federal Census
about Armando Alvarez
Name: Armando Alvarez
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1931
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Street: South St Vrain Street
House Number: 300
Inferred Residence in 1935: El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 7A
Attended School or College: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 2nd grade
Household Members:
Name Age
Adalfo Alvarez 49
Elvina Alvarez 40
Virginia Alvarez 13
Adolfo Alvarez 12
Armando Alvarez 9
Family Members
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