Armando Sambrano

Armando Loya Sambrano, 94, passed away on January 16, 2016. He was surrounded by his five loving daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, when he went to Heaven to be with his wife, Consuelo Sambrano. Armando was a decorated World War II Veteran, who was drafted on September 10, 1942, at the age of 22 years old. Armando was a Staff Sargeant in the Big Red One Infantry, which played an intricate part in winning the war against the Germans. He was a highly decorated soldier and received the following medals: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign and European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Medal, with 3 bronze stars, WWII Victory Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 oak leaf cluster (OLC). Seventy years later, on August 24, 2012, Armando was awarded the French Legion of Honor: Chevalier (Knights) Insignia by the French Consulate for his bravery and significant contribution during the liberation of the France Campaign during World War II. The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802, in order to honor persons of exceptional merit. Most recently, on September 25, 2015, on his 94th birthday, Armando was awarded the Belgium Certificate of Appreciation Citation, for recognition of his decisive role in the liberation of the Kingdom of Belgium, during World War II. The Big Red One and the Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion, 745th Tank Battalion, 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion and 1st Counter-Intelligence Corps Detachment, were granted the Fourragere 1940 for unrelenting pressure from the enemy pocket of 9,000 men from the 348th German Infantry Division, 18th German Air Force, and 6th Parachute Division. On October 17, 1944, while attacking a German pillbox in the Hurtgen Forest, the pillbox exploded and Armando was knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he was being treated by a German medic. As a result, he was taken as a POW and assigned to Stalag 12, 3-C. In January of 1945, when the Russians invaded Germany, he was liberated and was taken to Naples, Italy, and eventually returned to his home in the United States, where he married the love of his life. After the war, Armando worked at White Sands Missile Range as a Transportation Supervisor for twenty years, and continued to partake in his love of sports as a baseball catcher. Armando started playing baseball at the age of twelve and continued playing until he was called to serve his country in 1942. After he returned to the U.S., he also began an umpiring career in 1947, after a serious injury occurred as a catcher. He umpired Little League to Major League games in El Paso and New Mexico. For twelve years, Armando was an umpire at the World Softball Tournament and was inducted into the International Softball Hall of Fame on August 11, 1990. He was acclaimed to be the best umpire in the nation by all teams and I.S.C. officials, was well-known for his knowledge of the game, and his integrity as an umpire. In 2002, Armando Sambrano was inducted into the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame, where his picture remains displayed at the University of Texas at El Paso Don Haskin’s Hall of Fame. But above all, Armando will be remembered for the huge impact he made in so many people’s lives – one of his greatest accomplishments! Armando was a humble, quiet man, but his righteousness and heroic presence in our lives will forever be imprinted in our hearts. His love for God was very important to Armando and he attributed his wonderful life to God, whom he felt made it all possible. As a true patriot who loved his country, all his sacrifices for country were his pledge of honor, and he never once complained. He was truly deserving of the title, “The Greatest Generation!” Armando was preceded in death by his wife, Consuelo Sambrano; his parents, Nicolas and Esiquia Sambrano; his brothers, Alfredo and Roberto Sambrano; and his grandson, Marc Kevin Montes. He is survived by his sister Lucy Valenzuela, and five daughters: Margie (Victor) Montes; Angie (Albert) Perez; Connie (Fernie) Torres; Sandra (Oscar) Sanchez, Marie (Hector) Aguirre, his grandchildren, Lorraine (Andy) Sklar, Chris (Mayra) Perez, Cindy (Chris) Gee, Amanda (George) Pacheco, Steve (Gina) Torres, Alissa (Rusty) Booth, Erin (JB) Priest, Jarrod Aguirre and Jaymee (James) Barrett, plus 12 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be: Oscar Sanchez, Chris Perez, Jarrod Aguirre, Steven Torres, Paul Paoli, Tommy Gee, Rusty Booth and George Pacheco. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lucas and Dominic Montes. Special thanks to caregivers Julia, Martha and Elizabeth. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at Del Angel (Martin Funeral Home Central) 3839 Montana Ave., El Paso, Texas 79903. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016, at 12noon at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 2301 Zanzibar Rd. El Paso, Texas 79925. Rite of Committal will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Society of the 1st Infantry Division. www.1stID.org