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  GONZALES SR., MANUEL Master Sergeant, US Army The Lord called Sergeant Manuel "Manny" Gonzales, Sr. to eternal duty on July 31, 2012, in Monterey, California. As it was for 62 years, his loving wife Helen (Hermine) and their close knit family were at his bedside as he once again left civilian life to serve, but this time as a glorious soldier of God. Manuel Gonzales was born December 18, 1930, in Lemon Grove, California. Manuel and his twin brother, Jerry, were born to Cruz and Juan Gonzalez during the time their father was leading the historic Lemon Grove School Boycott and first successful school desegregation lawsuit in U.S. History. Along with nine brothers and four sisters, he was raised in Logan Heights in San Diego. When the Korean War began, 17-year-old Manuel and six friends joined the Army. After basic training at Fort Ord his friends were sent to Korea and Manuel to Linz, Austria, where he met and married the 62 year love of his life, Hermine (Helen) Gonzales. Manuel spent nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, Arizona and other stateside posts. In 1966 as Manuel was nearing retirement, he volunteered to become a Platoon Sergeant and go to Vietnam, saying he owed it to his country, the Army and his boyhood friends who fought in Korea. Manuel went to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he trained an all California unit, 9th Infantry Division 4/47 Riverine Herd that he would lead into battle. He learned to love them like his own sons. During a battle in the Mekong Delta, his outfit sustained heavy casualties. Sgt. Gonzales was seriously wounded but refused medical attention or evacuation until all of his wounded and dead were accounted for and evacuated. By the end of this ordeal an unconscious Sgt. Gonzales was evacuated. He received the Bronze Star with a "V" for valor for his actions. He wore his medals proudly, but was more proud of his young men he saw fight and die that day, some of whom he couched and held as they died, telling them to "Go to the Light". In his later years he wrote a still to be completed book about Vietnam and that day in the Mekong Delta entitled "Red Blood, Brown Water Equals Purple Heart." In it, he describes the year he spent training, molding and bonding with his young soldiers as well as the grief he carried for those who died. He also describes how as he was wounded he envisioned and spoke with his father who had been wounded in the Mexican Revolution. Upon completing his military career in 1975, the Gonzales family moved to Seaside where Manuel, like his father Juan, was active in the community affairs, serving on many boards and commissions. He was a familiar face at Seaside City Council meetings where he enjoyed speaking on redevelopment, trash and graffiti, clean up and every other aspect of civic life. In 1988, he narrowly missed winning a City Council seat. Manuel, who left high school to join the army, returned to school earning a Bachelor's Degree from San Jose State University. He enjoyed a U.S. Forest Service position inspecting fire hazards throughout the Monterey region. Manuel was an active member at St Francis Catholic Church, serving as a member and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid Raider season ticket holder who enthusiastically enjoyed seeing them in person and on television. Manuel Jr. remembers his dad "always took me and brother Rick fishing the local lakes and ocean wherever we were stationed. Fishing is my favorite hobby and I owe that to him. Our father always gave good advice, even if you weren't asking for it. When I was a kid, he took me aside and said, "Hey, those are some rough looking kids you're hanging with." He told me, "Show me your friends and I'll tell you what you is." I made it a point to hang with better company. Our dad always told and showed us the three most important things in life are "GOD, family, and country, in that order." Youngest brother Henry remembers Manuel as "a great family man, a wonderful brother and role model, a patriot of the first order, but mostly as a good soldier. Rest in peace Brother, until we see and salute you again." During his services, Manuel's favorite song "Soldado Razo" (Common Soldier) will be played. He and eight of his nine brothers served in the U.S. Military (one died at 17 years old). M anuel will be laid to rest in the Monterey region he loved and where he was admired and loved. Master Sgt. Gonzales has "gone to the light." Predeceased by his son Allen in 1957, his parents Cruz and Juan Gonzales along with sisters Julia, Micha and Minnie; brothers Art, Frank, Jess, John, Louie and twin Jerry. Survived by loving wife Hermine (Helen); daughters Gloria Rauber (Edward), Hellen Stevens (Jerry), Victoria Sanders; sons Manuel Gonzales Jr. (Ana), and Enrico Gonzales (Monica); 10 grandsons Christopher (Jennifer), Aaron, Eric, Alex, Kevin, Josh, Nick, Allen, J.D. Christian; two great-grandchildren Ryan and Lauren; sister Alice Gomez; brothers Joe Albert, Bobby and Henry; and over 200 nieces and nephews. Visitation and Rosary Thursday, August 9th, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Bayside Mortuary in Seaside. Funeral Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Seaside 11 a.m. Friday, August 10th. Military honors and burial at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey.
Published in U-T San Diego on August 7, 2012
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Arrangements under the direction of:
Bayside Community Mortuary
1610 Noche Buena Street | Seaside, CA 93955 | (831) 899-8850
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Seaside, CA (831) 899-8850
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