First Sergeant Ireneo Shagun Mayo, US Army (Retired)

First Sergeant Ireneo  Shagun Mayo, US Army (Retired)

Ireneo Sahagun Mayo was born January 4, 1930 in Zambales, Santa Cruz, Philippines, the youngest of eight children, and died May 10, 2010 at his home.

Ireneo was the “Tata Inyong” of the Mayo Family, and was their “Hero, Root and Legend.”

Ireneo proudly served his country in the United States Army, honorably serving with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Division.  He served tours of duty in combat zones in Korea and in Vietnam as a member of a “Front Line Advisory Group” with the United Nations Command in Southeast Asia.

He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal five times for wounds he received in combat from deadly direct contact with the enemy, including small arms fire, mortar rounds and grenade sharp nails.

His other military decorations include the Bronze Star, two Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal.

Ireneo retired in February 1976 with the rank of First Sergeant, serving with Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry “MARNE” Division at Conn Barracks in Sweinfurt, Germany.

In retirement he was very active in the community of Killeen, Texas and was one of the founding members of the Killeen Filipino-American Association.

Ireneo was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, VFW, Disabled American Veterans and other military service organizations.

Visitation and rosary were held at the Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights.  Funeral mass was conducted at the funeral home on May 21.

Present at the funeral home on May 21,  were  Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags to welcome the family and friends arriving for mass.

The Riders then lead the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment services with full military honors.

At the cemetery were other Riders and fifty American flags lining the roadway leading to the committal shelter to welcome the procession.

Final prayers were said and military honors were rendered as the Riders surrounded two sides of the shelter with a line of flags.

An Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army bugler played taps and the American flag which had covered the casket was folded into the traditional triangle and presented the Mayo family on behalf of  a grateful country and the United States Army.

First Sergeant Ireneo Sahagun Mayo was then laid to rest on a bright and sunny day on the gentle slope of the cemetery.  The American flag at the top of the hill was flying at half-staff in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Fe, four children and an extended family, “The MAYOCLAN” and many other dear friends.

Ireneo Shagun Mayo

Father, provider, soldier, engineer, public servant, and a friend to all.

With thanks to the Mayo family for biographical background.