Demetrio A Bogtong's Obituary
DEMETRIO ARIAS BOGTONG was born on June 21, 1924, in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar, Philippines to Cerilo and Juana Arias Bogtong. Demetrio was their eldest of three sons. They grew up in a loving family, very religious household and very humble beginnings. Demetrio enlisted in the US NAVY in Guiuan military base in Eastern Samar during WWII. After the war he was stationed at Naval Base Subic Bay in Olongapo City, Philippines. Demetrio met his wife Rose Dela Cruz while serving in the NAVY and they were married August 11, 1951 in Olongapo. They had six children. God and family were of utmost importance to them. They raised their family in beautiful San Diego.
Demetrio is a WWII Veteran, Korean and Vietnam War Veteran, and served 20 years in the Navy. WWII is known as the “Greatest Generation” due to the sacrifices that they made and the victories that they achieved. During 1949-1951 he served aboard the legendary aircraft carrier USS Midway. He shared many great stories of deployments around the world and with memorable fascinating gifts for his family. While on active duty he witnessed Operation Hardtack, a series of 1958 Nuclear tests in the Pacific atolls assigned on the USS Boxer. Demetrio is known as an American Atomic Veteran. He served other sea duties honorably aboard the USS Missouri, USS Kennebec, and USS Oriskany.
Demetrio’s Naval and Federal career expanded after he retired. First he worked at Miramar Naval Air Station and worked as an aircraft maintenance tech at the Naval Air Rework Facility, North Island Air Station in Coronado for 14 years. Ambitiously, he continued taking a seasonal security guard position on Kwajalein island for a short stint.
On January 20, 2024, WWII Veteran Demetrio was honored the WWII US Congressional Gold Medal aboard the USS Midway aircraft museum in San Diego. The ceremony was a grand event and he was full of excitement to experience the award at age 99 years staged by the FilVetRep.org. We are very proud of him and 100 years and 8 months of a most beautiful life.
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