Alfred Martin Palacios

1917 - 2015

Alfred Martin Palacios

Virginia Beach - Alfred Martin (Uncle Al) Palacios, 97, is now with our Heavenly Father. One more member of "The Greatest Generation" has died. He passed away peacefully in his home on May 16, 2015, surrounded by his loving wife, family and loved ones at his bedside. He was born on July 30, 1917 in San Francisco, CA to Augustine and Jennie Palacios. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joyce Arlene Miele, six children, Teresa Marasca and husband Raffaele, twin sister Mary Cosio and husband Ismael Cosio, MD, Janice Fucci, Cheryl McLeskey, Martin Palacios and wife Kaytren, and Michael Palacios. Also surviving to cherish his memory are twelve grandchildren, Michael, Augie, Gabriella, and Isaac Palacios, Willie Wilcox and wife Heidi, Justin and Martin Fucci, Eric Cosio, Daniella Cosio, MD, and Ismael Cosio, Liana and Gaetano Marasca, two great grandchildren Audrey Swett, Liam Wilcox and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Christina Hodoyan of Baja California and Eleanor Alban of Santa Rosa, CA and son-in-law Wayne McLeskey.

In 1943, Alfred enlisted in the Navy and trained for the Seabees in Camp Peary, VA. Following his CB training he was sent to the Navy Mine Disposal School in Washington, DC. where he was offered the opportunity to volunteer for the new special forces division being developed in Ft. Pierce, FL. He eagerly accepted the challenge and qualified as a member of Naval Combat Demolition Unit 131. As a member of NCDU-131, he was among the first wave of troops to land on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of the Normandy Coast. Prior to landing on the beach his landing craft was hit by artillery fire. Six of his fellow landing craft members were killed and four wounded by the enemy fire. He was among the wounded but still managed to reach shore and carry munitions from the craft to the beach. While dragging bangalore torpedoes across the beach he was hit again by machine gun fire. After wrapping his wounded left arm and making a sling he participated in the capture of three German soldiers. On the evening of June 6, he was evacuated to a field hospital in England. As a result of his wounds his left arm was amputated above the elbow.

On January 8, 1945, he was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Carpenter's Mate, 2nd Class. He was awarded the purple heart and recently was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal.

On January 19, 1945, he married the love of his life Joyce Arlene Miele from Williamsport, PA. They settled in San Francisco, CA to begin their family. Alfred worked several years as an inspector for the City of San Francisco Department of Public Utilities and eventually retired as a Safety Industrial Engineer for the State of California. He was active with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the American Legion, and a member of St.Thomas More Catholic Church in San Francisco.

From 1963 through 1972 the family resided in San Jose, CA where he was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in the Almaden area of the city. In 1974, he retired from his job with the State of California after the family had relocated to Virginia Beach, VA. He was a plank member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and sang in the choir for numerous years.

The family would like to thank caregivers Cora Ladi, Raquel Iglesias, Mary Lou Bermudo, Marie Barrientos and Carmen Largo for the phenomenal care, dedication and love they have provided him the last 3 years. The family also wishes to thank CAPT Norman H. Olson, "Sky Fossil" SEAL, USN (Retired), former Group 2 commanding officer of the Little Creek Amphibious Naval Base and former head of the Naval Seal Foundation for his friendship and support.

Alfred treasured attending UDT-SEAL reunions at Naval Base Coronado, California at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek, Virginia Beach, VA and the musters at the UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, FL.

In lieu of flowers, friends may honor Alfred Martin Palacios by contributing to Holy Family Catholic Church Building Fund, 1279 North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 or Naval Seal Foundation, 1619 D Street, Building 5326, Virginia Beach, VA 23459.

A rosary service will begin at 6:30 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21st by Father James E Dorson. A visitation for everyone will be from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. in the chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts, 2002 Laskiin Rd, Virginia Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 12 noon in Holy Family Catholic Church by Father Guadencio (Gaudy) Pugat and Father James E. Dorson of Bath County, Virginia, who will be giving the homily. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Peace, Princess Anne Memorial Park. A reception will follow in the family room at the Church of the Holy Family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.