Collazo Family Military History

I honor of Veteran’s Day, 2021, I am posting some proud Collazo family history.

Gerardo and Manuelita Collazo had ten sons and one daughter, and the family all lived in Laredo, Texas. Our extended family, around the world, is derived from this family.

Now, during World War II, Gerardo and Manuelita had 3 sons serving overseas at the same time. Uncle Pete (Tio Pedro) and Uncle Rodolfo (Tio Fito), were both in the Army; and Uncle Ignacio (Tio Nacho), was in the Navy. Towards the end of WWII, Uncle Luis Manuel (Tio Meme) served in the 2nd Infantry, Army detaining Japanese POWs. Uncle George (Tio Choche) was in the Navy, AND in the Air Force (not at the same time but in back-to-back tours). Uncle Raul (Tio Rule’) was in the Air Force before Vietnam. Uncle Oscar was in the Navy during Vietnam. Uncle Fernando (Tio Nando) was in the Air Force.

As a young kid, I remember going to see my Tio Fernando during his time of active duty that we went to see him at Lackland AFB; he was the MP (Military Police) on duty at the gate, with the most perfect saluting I ever saw!

The daughter born to Gerardo and Manuelita, our Aunt Trine, was married to an Air Force Airman during WW II, our Uncle Oscar T. Medina, so we want to salute him on this day. An interesting quote from Cousin Jesse Medina who stated that his Dad, Tio Oscar, was stationed in Florida.

A big salute to our Tio Oscar Collazo, RIP, who was the uncle who we would all affectionately call our Collazo Submarine Man. You see our Uncle Oscar served in the Navy as a Chief Non-Commission Officer in a nuclear submarine… very specifically, he was the “Chief of the Boat” of the USS Mariano G. Vallejo, and actually is a “Plankholder” of that submarine which means he was on the original crew when it was commissioned. Rest in peace, Tio, I know you are forever with your submarine buddies and, of course, family in heaven.

Now to show that the Collazo Family military tradition continues, we want to also salute all the Collazo Veterans, as well as the Collazo-related family Veterans that have served: My dear brother, William Collazo, Army Physician; second-generation submarine man, Chris Collazo, Navy, who is cousin Sharon and Romeo’s Son, and Tio Oscar’s grandson; Tio Nacho’s Son, Cousin Orlando Collazo, Navy; Tio Joe and Daughter, Cousin Joe Collazo, Jr., Navy, and Cousin Diana’s husband, Gilbert Shely, Air Force; Tio Pedro’s Sons, Cousin Pete Collazo, Jr, Army, and Cousin Javier Collazo, Army; Tio Fito’s Sons, Cousin Rodolfo Collazo, Jr., Marine Corps, and Cousin Pablo Rene Collazo, Navy; Tio Meme’s Son, Cousin Luis George (Choche), Navy, and Choche’s son, Luis Rogelio Collazo, Marine Corps; Cousin Gina’s Son, Geronimo Villarreal, Marine Corps; Cousin Yolanda’s Son, Fabian Mendoza, III, Army. I would like to send out a big salute to our Cousin Yolanda’s husband, our very own home-grown, retired Army Colonel Fabian Mendoza! Cousin Yolanda and Fabian’s Son-in-law, and Cousin Michelle’s husband, Scott Miroddi, is an Army veteran, and we salute him today. Last, this writer, Bob Collazo, Jr., is a proud Vietnam-Era Army Veteran, served in the Army during the Vietnam war but never made it there.

I would also like to mention and honor family members on my maternal side of the family. My Tio, Ernesto (Neto) Elizondo, was my Mother’s Beloved Brother, and proudly served in the US Navy during WW II. Also, my Tio Neto’s Son, Ernesto Elizondo, Jr., served in the US Air Force back in the 1970s. My maternal grandfather, Francisco Elizondo, had two brothers, Margarito, and Jose, that were on active duty during WWII. In fact, my Great Uncle Jose Efrain Elizondo, was in Iwo Jima, and saw the raising of the flag there! We proudly salute them today.

Bottom line – We salute and thank all family Veterans today and send them warm regards!

Certainly, with our big family, the Collazo and Family Military legend continues…

Happy Veteran’s Day!
Bob Collazo, Jr.
11/11/21

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2 comments

  1. (Dillon Collazo, son of Fernando Jr. and Colleen Collazo, Grandson to Fernando Sr. and Margarita)

    Hola Tio,

    Decided to clear up who I was in this large family right off the bat haha. I just wanted to thank you for all the genealogy you have documented and especially this write up. I’m a huge history buff and always looking to better understand my family history, this write up about our rich veteran history was amazing. It’s sometimes hard for me to connect faces and names to stories and family elders considering I was slightly disconnected from the centralized family in San Antonio since I grew up out in Bulverde. It is things information detailed like this that really pulls all of it together for me. Thank you!

  2. Hi Dillon! Great to hear from you! So glad you like my documentation of our family’s rich history. As you can figure out, I like to write and I’m a great history buff also. I believe we have a responsibility to our future Collazo generations, like yourself, to ensure that all family members know our past Collazo generations’ history, and how patriotic they were to our beloved country. Warm regards to your Mom, Dad, and of course, a big hug to your Grandpa & Grandma Collazo next time you see them from Bob & Terry…keep in touch!

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