Sacrifice to be a citizen

[504PIR]

Does anyone remember the Peruvian guy in B. Co 1-504 PIR who was killed in Just Cause? He was not a citizen when we jumped,but he sure as hell was when he died in Panama as a U.S. Army Paratrooper!

I just wish I could remember his name.

[cmr]

SFC Del Routh was our next door neighbor at the time. Part of the reason I remembered about the soldier wanting to be a citizen.
cmr

ANTI-TANK GUNNER KILLED IN PANAMA HONORED AT BRAGG

By ANDREA SHAW Of The Times Staff

When Spec. Alejandro Manriquelozano parachuted into Panama on Dec. 20, he fulfilled a longtime dream.

The native of Peru was serving his adopted country, putting his life on the line as one of its citizens.

Two hours later, Spec. Manriquelozano was killed in action when his unit came under attack by Panamanian Defense Forces near Panama Viejo, unit members said.

More than 300 soldiers paid tribute to Spec. Manriquelozano on Wednesday during a memorial service at the 82nd Airborne Division Memorial Chapel. Also attending the service were the soldier's family and Maj. Gen. James H. Johnson, Jr., 82nd Airborne Division commander.

Spec. Manriquelozano, 30, of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, was an anti-tank gunner. He was one of four Fort Bragg soldiers and 23 U.S. servicemen killed in the invasion. His comrades affectionately called him "Manrique," unit members said.

Platoon leader Sgt. 1st Class Gene Wolfe called the soldier "a close friend" and described Spec. Manriquelozano as a "motivator," who had a lot of goals set for himself, like attending Ranger and non-commissioned officer school.

But Spec. Manriquelozano's main goal was to become an American citizen, Sgt. Wolfe said.

"He said it gave him great honor to go to combat," Sgt. Wolfe said. "After we jumped in he said, "Sgt. Wolfe, I"m an American.' I told him, "damn right you are Manrique." "

Sgt. 1st Class Delbert Routh said Spec. Manriquelozano's American citizenship "meant more to him than most people. That was the most important thing to him."

An avid basketball player like the rest of his buddies, Spec. Manriquelozano enjoyed deep-sea fishing with Chaplain Kenneth Yates, the chaplain said.

"Manrique taught us not to take things for granted," Chaplain Yates said. "In America, we are truly blessed. We enjoy a lot of freedoms."

The soldier played an important part in Panama acting as an interpreter for his unit and leading the unit's convoy, Chaplain Yates said.

"He taught us what it meant to make sacrifices for others," Chaplain Yates said. "I realized that what Manrique did was the clearest example of love for your neighbor."

A 10-year-old Panamanian girl wrote a poem in honor of servicemen taking part in the invasion, Chaplain Yates said.

"Those that have died will always be remembered as friends," Chaplain Yates read from the poem. "Manrique made us feel good about who we were. He is a hero and we'll never forget him."

Other 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers who died in Panama have been identified as Spec. Jerry Scott Daves, 20, Pfc. Martin D. Denson, 21, and Pvt. James A. Tabor Jr., 18. Memorial services for them were held earlier this month.

[504PIR]

Thats right he was in 2nd Bn. Thanks for the article, I remember when we got back the story but could not remember the details after all these years.

It's a hell of a story, may that young paratrooper rest in peace as an American!

[billandsiona]

manrique was a good friend and a great solider i was with him when it happened. we had just cleared a bridge of booby traps and there was a sniper on the hill in front of us. many men were hurt that day because when we took fire we took cover and some of us jumped in a creek that had chemicals in it and alot of people suffered burns rip my brother