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PFC Alvaro “Al” Vigil Sr.

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PFC Alvaro “Al” Vigil Sr. Veteran

Birth
El Rito, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, USA
Death
23 Jul 2009 (aged 86)
Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA
Burial
Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA Add to Map
Plot
20-1631
Memorial ID
View Source
ALVARO (AL) VIGIL, 86, of Santa Fe, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2009 following a short illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Agapito and Delfinia Maestas Vigil; his son, Alvaro Vigil, Jr.; Grandson Jesse Vasquez; sisters, Mollie Vigil and Mercedes Apodaca; and brother Vidal Vigil. Alvaro was born September 19, 1922 in El Rito, New Mexico. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, receiving a Purple Heart after being wounded. He and Christina Dofflemyer were married June 28, 1943 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Fe while he was on leave, and he returned to duty three days later. Following his discharge in May of 1945, he returned to Santa Fe where he attended carpentry school. He then worked for Indian Tours as a bus driver, and also learned the mechanical side of the business. He later worked for Santa Fe Motors as a mechanic for several years. He retired from the Santa Fe Public Schools following several years of service. He was a member of the Catholic Church, the La Union Protectiva, the Order of Purple Heart, and the DAV.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Christina Vigil; three daughters, Angela Vasquez, Helen Martinez (Benny), and Lourdes Muniz (Floyd); grandchildren that he raised, Margaret Barela (Mark), Geraldine Garcia (Dennis), John Vasquez (Rebecca) and Jessica (Peter); and his other grandchildren, Richard Vigil, Anita Tapia (Mark), Ben Martinez, Jr. (Michelle), Andrew Martinez (Stephanie), Henry Martinez (Regina), and Florencio (Jun-Jo) Muniz; daughter-in-law, Marie Vigil; brothers, Vicente Vigil (Karla), Pete Vigil (Bernice); sisters, Connie Jimenez (Charlie), Grace DeAguero, Elisa Valdez (Dennis), Mary Tays (Frank), and Della Aguerez (Roger). He is also survived by many great grandchildren and 9 great, great grand children; numerous nieces,nephews, cousins, and many friends. Visitation will be at Santa Fe Funeral Options on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A Rosary will be recited at 9:00 AM Wednesday, July 29 at St. Anne Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Wednesday. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

On 6 Dec 1940, Alvaro, born in El Rito and a resident of Canjilon, enlisted in the US Army in Santa Fe. He was described as 5'5", 120 pounds, black eyes, black hair, and a truck driver. He served as a rifleman with Company E, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He participated in the Normandy Campaign and the St. Lo Campaign. On 4 Aug 1944, he received a bullet wound to the chest. Alvaro was awarded the Purple Heart, the European-African- Middle East Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze battle stars, the American Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the M1 Rifle Marksman badge. On 21 May 1945, Alvaro was honorably discharged at Birmingham General Hospital, Van Nuys, California. He received a certificate of disability and was issued a lapel button (WD AGO Form 53-55).
ALVARO (AL) VIGIL, 86, of Santa Fe, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2009 following a short illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Agapito and Delfinia Maestas Vigil; his son, Alvaro Vigil, Jr.; Grandson Jesse Vasquez; sisters, Mollie Vigil and Mercedes Apodaca; and brother Vidal Vigil. Alvaro was born September 19, 1922 in El Rito, New Mexico. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, receiving a Purple Heart after being wounded. He and Christina Dofflemyer were married June 28, 1943 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Fe while he was on leave, and he returned to duty three days later. Following his discharge in May of 1945, he returned to Santa Fe where he attended carpentry school. He then worked for Indian Tours as a bus driver, and also learned the mechanical side of the business. He later worked for Santa Fe Motors as a mechanic for several years. He retired from the Santa Fe Public Schools following several years of service. He was a member of the Catholic Church, the La Union Protectiva, the Order of Purple Heart, and the DAV.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Christina Vigil; three daughters, Angela Vasquez, Helen Martinez (Benny), and Lourdes Muniz (Floyd); grandchildren that he raised, Margaret Barela (Mark), Geraldine Garcia (Dennis), John Vasquez (Rebecca) and Jessica (Peter); and his other grandchildren, Richard Vigil, Anita Tapia (Mark), Ben Martinez, Jr. (Michelle), Andrew Martinez (Stephanie), Henry Martinez (Regina), and Florencio (Jun-Jo) Muniz; daughter-in-law, Marie Vigil; brothers, Vicente Vigil (Karla), Pete Vigil (Bernice); sisters, Connie Jimenez (Charlie), Grace DeAguero, Elisa Valdez (Dennis), Mary Tays (Frank), and Della Aguerez (Roger). He is also survived by many great grandchildren and 9 great, great grand children; numerous nieces,nephews, cousins, and many friends. Visitation will be at Santa Fe Funeral Options on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A Rosary will be recited at 9:00 AM Wednesday, July 29 at St. Anne Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Wednesday. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

On 6 Dec 1940, Alvaro, born in El Rito and a resident of Canjilon, enlisted in the US Army in Santa Fe. He was described as 5'5", 120 pounds, black eyes, black hair, and a truck driver. He served as a rifleman with Company E, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He participated in the Normandy Campaign and the St. Lo Campaign. On 4 Aug 1944, he received a bullet wound to the chest. Alvaro was awarded the Purple Heart, the European-African- Middle East Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze battle stars, the American Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the M1 Rifle Marksman badge. On 21 May 1945, Alvaro was honorably discharged at Birmingham General Hospital, Van Nuys, California. He received a certificate of disability and was issued a lapel button (WD AGO Form 53-55).

Inscription

PFC US ARMY
WORLD WAR II

Gravesite Details

Army Serial #30 010 063



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  • Created by: Jay Skelton
  • Added: Sep 4, 2009
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41547165/alvaro-vigil: accessed ), memorial page for PFC Alvaro “Al” Vigil Sr. (19 Sep 1922–23 Jul 2009), Find a Grave Memorial ID 41547165, citing Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA; Maintained by Jay Skelton (contributor 46839500).