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Born in Avalos, Chih., Mexico and migrated to the US in May of 1954. When he and his younger brother Luis registered at Lamar Elementary they were both literate in Spanish, but didn't speak a word of English. They were sent back 2 grades because in those days you could not speak Spanish in school, only English. It was a tough first year but things got easier. Because of their math skills they were double promoted shortly after their English improved. Willie attended Houston Elementary his 8th grade year then enter EPHS his freshman year.
With his love of baseball, he played in little league as soon as he was old enough and had no trouble making the EPHS varsity baseball team. He also played basketball, but baseball was his sport of choice.
Willie joined the Army in September of 1962, did his basic training in Fort Polk La. and became a paratrooper in the 101th Airborne Division stationed in Fort Campbell Ky. It was there where he met his wife Linda. He was sent to Fort Ord,Ca. where his first child Laura was born.
Was Honorable Discharged on August 1967 and re-enlisted to become a helicopter pilot. Did his training in Fort Wolter Tx (67-13). His dream was to become an airline pilot after getting out of the service.
Vietnam Nov 5th 1967- Sept 13th 1968
During his tour of duty he flew 26 missions, and proved worthy enough to become the pilot for Major General Keith L. Ware, the Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One). The Army placed a memorial plaque August 1st 1969 in Lai Khe, Vietnam dedicated to the last mission he served. It reads like this:
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NO MISSION TOO DIFFICULT
NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT
DUTY FIRST
KILLED IN ACTION
MG KEITH L. WARE, COMMANDING GENERAL
LTC HENRY M. OLIVER, ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, G-4
CPT GERALD W. PLUNKETT. AIRCRAFT COMMANDER
1LT STEVEN L. BECK, AID-DE-CAMP
CW2 WILLIAM MANZANARES, JR., PILOT
CSM JOSEPH D. GUTIERREZ-VELAZQUEZ. CREW CHIEF
SP4 RAYMOND E. LANTER, DOORGUNNER
On 13 September 1968 near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, Major General Keith L. Ware, Commanding General, 1st infantry Division, with members of his staff, was supervising division elements in contact with NVA and VC forces when his command and control helicopter was shot down by enemy automatic weapons fire.
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This memorial was re- dedicated September 15, 1968 in Fort Riley, Ks the home of the 1st Infantry Division.
His birth name was Guillermo Manzanares, which was our father’s name, therefore he was a junior. Guillermo is William in Spanish. When he was in paratrooper training, as they jumped out of the plane they would yell ”Geronimo”! That sounded like Guillermo and he was teased about it. He changed his name to William. He had no middle name and added the initial “A” for our mother’s maiden name “Alvelais”. He officially changed his name to William A. Manzanares Jr. and that name is in all his Army records and on his tombstone. He is known to some as Guillermo, William, Bill, Willie and to some family members as Memo. However you may know him, you must remember his sense of humor, his playful nature and his generous act of kindness.
Willie was killed in action on September 13th 1968 at the age of 24. He left behind a 22 years old wife and a 3 year old daughter and 18 month old son. They have given him 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He left behind his parents, two brothers and one sister that miss and remember the boy we knew so long ago and are proud of the man we will never get to know. June 1st 2014, Willie would have been 70 years old. He spent 14 years in this country, 6 of those 14 years in service to his country, became a United States Citizen and gave his life for a country he learned to love.
