Local 13 Pensioner Manuel Torres
ILWU Local 13 pensioner Manuel Torres is a decorated World War II veteran. He received the Combat INF Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal, Asia Pacific Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Occupation of Japan Medal. He never received his Bronze Star from the military and his other medals were destroyed in a house fire years ago.
In March 2012, Torres was attending a memorial service and ran into Congresswoman Janice Hahn who represents the Southern California Harbor- area and he told her about the lost medals. Earlier this year at Representative Hahn’s victory celebration, Manuel was presented with all of the medals he earned for his military service.
In early 1944, Manuel was a student at San Pedro High School. He, along with other students were met by members of the Selective Service and directed to report for induction into the US Army. Manuel Torres had been drafted and was soon on a bus to Camp Roberts for basic training.
After completing basic training, he spent a few days at home before waving good bye to his mother and father at Union Station in Los Angeles. That was the last time he saw his father, who passed away a short time later.
Torres boarded a troop transport in San Francisco that was bound for the Philippines for an assault to retake the islands. Torres’s first order was to give up his M1 rifle for a Tommy Gun and become the forward scout. His actions in this operation earned him the Bronze Star in Leyte. He received the Purple Heart for injuries in Luzon. After recovering in Manila, Torres was deployed to other Pacific Islands and then to Tokyo Bay where he witnessed the signing of the Japanese surrender and the end of the Second World War.
Even in retirement, Manuel remains an active part of the ILWU as a dedicated member of the Southern California Pensioners Club.
Well done, Sargent.
– Jerry Garretson, Southern California Pensioners.