Pablo Manzano Jr., 19

Army, Private 1st Class

Based: Bamberg, Germany

B Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, V Corps

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: August 25, 2003

Baghdad (15 mi. south), Iraq

Single

Gender: Male

Hometown: Heber

High School: Southwest High (El Centro)

Manzano came from Heber, a predominantly Latino town of about 2,900 residents near the Mexican border. In 2008 the fifth annual Pfc. Pablo Manzano Jr. Memorial Softball Tournament was held in El Centro, with donations going to local charities.

Mitchell A. Lane, 08/29/2003

Kylan A. Jones-Huffman, 08/21/2003

Four memories of Pablo Manzano Jr.

“

I had Pablo in class for a year (his senior year) and he was also a student in my husband's class. he was the calmest, friendliest, sweetest kid. He wasn't the type to lean towards violence or anger. He had sooooo many friends in his class and not an enemy in the world. I was devastated when I heard of his death because this loss could have been prevented. I remember sitting around with him after school and trying to get him concert tickets, his cool presentation about medieval medical practices and trying to keep him quiet in class. He'd always say, "But they're talking to me! I can't just ignore them!" I would tell him to try not to be so popular and he would laugh. I can't believe he's gone.

” — Carmelle Kuehn, November 18, 2009 at 11:03 a.m.

“

Time and time again,we are never comforted by the actions or the tragedies of what happens to one mans life as it draws at it end. The memories of the profound life of Pablo Manzano Jr. are ones that will always be apart of my life as well as the others whom have moved away from the Imperial Valley. From his families ceremonial parties at the age of eight on Peco, to the lunches and endeavors with the cosmic mixes of Chettos and salsa, during our monumental times as scholars at South West High. I am never reminded about his death or how it played a role to his demise, I am reminded of his life as I had the honor of calling him friend. Thank you Pablo and the family of Manzano's for showing me who a gentleman ought to be. Staff Sergeant J.B. Gutierrez United States Marine Corps.

” — J.B. Gutierrez, August 25, 2011 at 6:47 p.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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