But he was never recognized as an American veteran.

In death, he refused military burial and told his family not to drape his coffin with an American flag.

 

2Lt. Mariano Pastorin was a soldier's soldier. He fought as a soldier of the USAFFE during the early months of World War II. He fought as a guerilla during the three years war of resistance against Japan. He fought as a soldier under the US Forces in Northern Luzon (USIFNL) under Col. Volckmann with the 14th Inf. Regiment during the liberation in Northern Luzon.

 

Later he fought in Korea under the Philippine Expeditionary Forces (PEPTOK) under the United Nations in the 1950's. He again was a member of the Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG) in the field artillery unit. He retired as a member of the Philippine Army as a 2nd Lieutentant.

 

He emigrated to the United States in 1992. Beleiving that he was a US military veteran but to his dismay that he was not recognized, He joined the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS) and later the December 7 Movement (D7M) and JFAV and become one of its leading members.

 

He was one of the founders of the Association of Widows, Advocates, Relatives for Equality (AWARE) that was formed in July 2008. He was elected one of its board members in January  2009.

 

The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) is proud to have him as one of its principles leader. He refused the lump sum and views its as a hush money and vowed not to receive it until the Filipino veterans are recognized as equal to the American veterans.Thus unto his death he refused military honors and burial.

 

Mariano Pastorin was born on April 15, 1924 in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. He died on September 4, 2009 in Los Angeles California. He was buried last September 10 at Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn Memorial Park

 

He was truly a soldier's soldier and a true freedom fighter in war and in peace.

We salute you sir!  Pugay Kamay kami sa inyo. Mabuhay kayo!