Melvin D. Fortes December 8, 1909 ~ November 7, 2007 North Monterey County " Melvin Defuntorum Fortes, 97, a resident of Monterey County for 49 years, died peacefully at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula after a short illness.
Mr. Fortes was born December 8, 1909 in La Union, Philippines. He came to the United States to attend college and was enrolled as a student at the College of the Pacific, now known as University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Subsequently he joined the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, a unit under the auspices of the United States Army, for the purpose of liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Military service provided the basis for becoming an American citizen.
After the end of WW II, Mr. Fortes remained in the military, became a career soldier and retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant.
As a member of the 24th Infantry Division, Mr. Fortes was among the first army troops to arrive in Korea and the first to fight under the United Nations' banner. These soldiers, however, were poorly equipped and lacked heavy weaponry with tragic results. His near death experiences would later mold a profound respect for life and an unwavering commitment to live morally, honestly and charitably. In this regard, Mr. Fortes could be relied upon to do the right and proper thing, in every instance, regardless of cost or profit.
Mr. Fortes was a member of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and a past president of the Filipino-American Community Club as well as the Filipino-American Foundation.
In 2002, Mr. Fortes was predeceased by Paz Fortes, his wife of 54 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Rosalinda Young and Pacita Mooberry; a son, Mel Fortes; a sister, Benardina Casarino; Nicky, Andy and Carisa, his three grandchildren; Jerome and Curtis, his two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin Monday, November 12, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. and the vigil service will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey. The Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at San Carlos Cathedral with interment to follow at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey.
Mr. Fortes was born December 8, 1909 in La Union, Philippines. He came to the United States to attend college and was enrolled as a student at the College of the Pacific, now known as University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Subsequently he joined the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, a unit under the auspices of the United States Army, for the purpose of liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Military service provided the basis for becoming an American citizen.
After the end of WW II, Mr. Fortes remained in the military, became a career soldier and retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant.
As a member of the 24th Infantry Division, Mr. Fortes was among the first army troops to arrive in Korea and the first to fight under the United Nations' banner. These soldiers, however, were poorly equipped and lacked heavy weaponry with tragic results. His near death experiences would later mold a profound respect for life and an unwavering commitment to live morally, honestly and charitably. In this regard, Mr. Fortes could be relied upon to do the right and proper thing, in every instance, regardless of cost or profit.
Mr. Fortes was a member of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and a past president of the Filipino-American Community Club as well as the Filipino-American Foundation.
In 2002, Mr. Fortes was predeceased by Paz Fortes, his wife of 54 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Rosalinda Young and Pacita Mooberry; a son, Mel Fortes; a sister, Benardina Casarino; Nicky, Andy and Carisa, his three grandchildren; Jerome and Curtis, his two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin Monday, November 12, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. and the vigil service will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey. The Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at San Carlos Cathedral with interment to follow at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey.
Melvin D. Fortes December 8, 1909 ~ November 7, 2007 North Monterey County " Melvin Defuntorum Fortes, 97, a resident of Monterey County for 49 years, died peacefully at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula after a short illness.
Mr. Fortes was born December 8, 1909 in La Union, Philippines. He came to the United States to attend college and was enrolled as a student at the College of the Pacific, now known as University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Subsequently he joined the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, a unit under the auspices of the United States Army, for the purpose of liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Military service provided the basis for becoming an American citizen.
After the end of WW II, Mr. Fortes remained in the military, became a career soldier and retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant.
As a member of the 24th Infantry Division, Mr. Fortes was among the first army troops to arrive in Korea and the first to fight under the United Nations' banner. These soldiers, however, were poorly equipped and lacked heavy weaponry with tragic results. His near death experiences would later mold a profound respect for life and an unwavering commitment to live morally, honestly and charitably. In this regard, Mr. Fortes could be relied upon to do the right and proper thing, in every instance, regardless of cost or profit.
Mr. Fortes was a member of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and a past president of the Filipino-American Community Club as well as the Filipino-American Foundation.
In 2002, Mr. Fortes was predeceased by Paz Fortes, his wife of 54 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Rosalinda Young and Pacita Mooberry; a son, Mel Fortes; a sister, Benardina Casarino; Nicky, Andy and Carisa, his three grandchildren; Jerome and Curtis, his two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin Monday, November 12, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. and the vigil service will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey. The Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at San Carlos Cathedral with interment to follow at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey.
Mr. Fortes was born December 8, 1909 in La Union, Philippines. He came to the United States to attend college and was enrolled as a student at the College of the Pacific, now known as University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Subsequently he joined the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, a unit under the auspices of the United States Army, for the purpose of liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Military service provided the basis for becoming an American citizen.
After the end of WW II, Mr. Fortes remained in the military, became a career soldier and retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant.
As a member of the 24th Infantry Division, Mr. Fortes was among the first army troops to arrive in Korea and the first to fight under the United Nations' banner. These soldiers, however, were poorly equipped and lacked heavy weaponry with tragic results. His near death experiences would later mold a profound respect for life and an unwavering commitment to live morally, honestly and charitably. In this regard, Mr. Fortes could be relied upon to do the right and proper thing, in every instance, regardless of cost or profit.
Mr. Fortes was a member of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and a past president of the Filipino-American Community Club as well as the Filipino-American Foundation.
In 2002, Mr. Fortes was predeceased by Paz Fortes, his wife of 54 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Rosalinda Young and Pacita Mooberry; a son, Mel Fortes; a sister, Benardina Casarino; Nicky, Andy and Carisa, his three grandchildren; Jerome and Curtis, his two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin Monday, November 12, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. and the vigil service will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey. The Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at San Carlos Cathedral with interment to follow at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey.
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