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Mario Carazo, click to enlarge Mario Carazo, click to enlarge
         
Mario D. Carazo
 

War: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom
Service Dates: 1987 to 2010
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Unit: MAG-39, 3rd MAW, 1st Marine Exped.
Service Locations: 
Camp Pendleton, Iraq, Afghanistan
Highest Rank: Lt. Colonel
Medals/Special Service Awards: 
Bronze Star
Purple Heart,
Two Merit Service Medals with Gold Star
Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy-Marine Corps Award
POW: No
Killed in Action: Yes Gold Star
Birth Year: 1969
Place of Birth: Inglewood, California

 

Lieutenant Colonel Mario de los Angeles Carazo spent his formative years in the City of Cerritos. He moved here at the age of 3 with his parents Alvaro and Ana Carazo, his brother Alvaro and sisters, Ana and Sandra. Mario attended school in Cerritos and graduated from Cerritos High School in 1987. As a young child, he always dreamed of flying and through his hard work, was able to achieve his dreams. He continued his education at the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1991 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. This began a long and honored career in the United States Marine Corps where Lieutenant Colonel Carazo received many awards, promotions and decorations for his distinguished service.

Lieutenant Colonel Mario Carazo passed away on July 22, 2010 while flying a combat mission over Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Lieutenant Colonel Carazo is survived by his wife Jennifer, 9-year-old son Mario, Jr. and 6-year-old daughter Milla, as well as his parents, Alvaro and Ana, and siblings, Alvaro, Ana and Sandra.

Gold Star In Memoriam


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