Ruben Carbajal
August 11, 1926 — March 10, 2012
Ruben Carbajal 1926 - 2012 Lieutenant Commander Ruben Carbajal, USN Ret., was born in Las Cruces, NM on August 11, 1926 and passed away March 10, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Celia Carbajal, his sister Dolores C. Archuleta (Archie), his brother Fred Carbajal (Mary Lou), his daughters Rosie Carbajal and Debra Paz (Marvin); his grandchildren Vanessa Paz, Bobby Butler,...
Ruben Carbajal 1926 - 2012 Lieutenant Commander Ruben Carbajal, USN Ret., was born in Las Cruces, NM on August 11, 1926 and passed away March 10, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Celia Carbajal, his sister Dolores C. Archuleta (Archie), his brother Fred Carbajal (Mary Lou), his daughters Rosie Carbajal and Debra Paz (Marvin); his grandchildren Vanessa Paz, Bobby Butler, and Lauren Carbajal; great-grandchildren David Butler and Santino Ruben DeLaO. He is preceded in death by his parents Adela and Marcos Carbajal, his son Ruben Carbajal Jr., his sister Hermila Wallace, and Brother Joe Carbajal. In 1943, with his older brother Joe already serving in WWII, he persuaded his father, a Navy WWI veteran, to approve his enlistment in the Navy at the age of 17. He served this great nation in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He saw significant combat action in the 27 years in the service including, but not limited to, amphibious landings during the invasion of Luzon in the Philippines and the invasion of Okinawa both in 1945. He had the unique honor of serving on the USS Rochester, the same name of the ship his father served in WWI. As World War II was ending, Ruben's ship was sunk by typhoon "Louise" and he was stranded at sea for 24 hours. After WWII Ruben was discharged and came home to complete his high school education but decided to reenlist and "mustang up" to the officer rank. He attended Class "A" Gunner's Mate School and the Navy Nuclear Weapons Off...
Ruben Carbajal 1926 - 2012 Lieutenant Commander Ruben Carbajal, USN Ret., was born in Las Cruces, NM on August 11, 1926 and passed away March 10, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Celia Carbajal, his sister Dolores C. Archuleta (Archie), his brother Fred Carbajal (Mary Lou), his daughters Rosie Carbajal and Debra Paz (Marvin); his grandchildren Vanessa Paz, Bobby Butler, and Lauren Carbajal; great-grandchildren David Butler and Santino Ruben DeLaO. He is preceded in death by his parents Adela and Marcos Carbajal, his son Ruben Carbajal Jr., his sister Hermila Wallace, and Brother Joe Carbajal. In 1943, with his older brother Joe already serving in WWII, he persuaded his father, a Navy WWI veteran, to approve his enlistment in the Navy at the age of 17. He served this great nation in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He saw significant combat action in the 27 years in the service including, but not limited to, amphibious landings during the invasion of Luzon in the Philippines and the invasion of Okinawa both in 1945. He had the unique honor of serving on the USS Rochester, the same name of the ship his father served in WWI. As World War II was ending, Ruben's ship was sunk by typhoon "Louise" and he was stranded at sea for 24 hours. After WWII Ruben was discharged and came home to complete his high school education but decided to reenlist and "mustang up" to the officer rank. He attended Class "A" Gunner's Mate School and the Navy Nuclear Weapons Officers Course, and earned the following medals: Good Conduct Medal (3 stars), China Service Medal (Extended), American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2 stars), World War II Victory Medal (2 stars), World War II Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1 star), Korean Service Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon (1 star), United Nations Service Medal After his military service, Ruben Carbajal dedicated his civilian life to his beloved family and welcomed the title of grandpa and great-grandpa. For many years he pursued his passions for hunting, fishing, and farming. He was also an active member of VFW Post 3242. A prayer vigil will be held at 9:30 am, on Friday March 16, 2012, with funeral mass to immediately follow at 10:00 am both will be at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with Fr. Don Adamski as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery with full Military Honors. The honor of Pallbearer goes to James Lucero, Bennie Lucero, J.J. Tellez, John Lucero, Danny Lucero, Bobby Butler and honorary Pallbearers will be O
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