RODOLFO "RUDY" CARBAJAL OF LAS CRUCES NM.

Rudy entered eternal life Sunday, March 8, 2026. Rudy was born in Anthony, NM on September 21, 1926.  His survivors include his loving wife of 79 years, Estelle; daughter, Tency O'Connor; and great-grandson, Myles O'Connor from Detroit Michigan.; brother, Raul Carbajal of Las Cruces; sisters, Belia Provencio of Chamberino, NM and Elva Sierra of Berino, NM.

Rudy was preceded in death by his mother, Maria Carbajal; son, Robbie Carbajal and a grand-daughter Lynette O'Connor; sisters, Elvira Aldaz; Maggie Madrid and two brothers, Arturo and Hector Carbajal.

Rudy was self-employed for many years in the grocery store and restaurant business in El Paso, TX, Anthony, NM and Las Cruces, NM.  He also worked for John Morell and Co., out of Chicago at Peyton Packing Co. in El Paso for 24 years as General Supervisor of Quality Control until he retired in 1989.

Rudy was a World War II Veteran, he volunteered and joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country in 1944, he was seventeen, years old at the time.  He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater with amphibious forces serving both land & sea, most of his time he was aboard the USS LCI 450 Rocket Amphibious Ship.

In Rudy's own words he remembers that, on or about July 27, 1945, they received orders to invade Japan, "Captain Martin had bottles of whiskey and offered to each of us a drink saying, "My fellow soldiers I just received orders to invade Tokyo, this may be the last day that we may be together."  "Everyone stayed quiet, we made a toast and proceeded to make preparations to invade Tokyo, Japan. It was an ugly feeling I will never forget.  We were on our way to invade Japan when President Truman ordered the dropping of the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan; this happened on August 6, 1945.  Three days later, August 9, 1945, the second bomb was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan.  We continued as ordered to invade Tokyo, Japan and five days later, on August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered.  I was involved in hand-to-hand combat with our enemy, it was devastating, always being on the alert and fearing for one's own life.  During the signing of the unconditional surrender on September 2, 1945, I was a few yards away from the battleship USS Missouri."

Rudy was awarded the following medals:  American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Service Medal, Occupation Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Pacific Victory Medal, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin.  He received an honorable discharge and was a life member of VFW #4384, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Anthony, NM., and a charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Rudy relays this: "I did not finish high school, I was too patriotic, I wanted to join the Navy at seventeen.  I had a hard time with my mother, convincing her to sign for me.  I took her to the recruiting office 5 times before she finally agreed to sign and I took off to serve my country."  "I leave behind many wonderful friends, family and memories.  You are invited to join my family at the memorial service that will be held at the V.F.W. in Anthony, NM."

Visitation for Mr. Carbajal will begin at 9 AM Thursday, April 9, 2026, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 224 Lincoln Street in Anthony with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10 AM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately thereafter. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at The Anthony Community Cemetery, 750 Acosta Road where he will be laid to rest in the family plot.  Military honor will be accorded by the United States Navy Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League - El Perro Diablo Detachment, along with the members of the VFW Post # 4384.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jacob and Joshua Sierra, Patrick Provencio, Raul Carbajal, Jr., David Villalobos, David Miranda, Jr., and Rudy Sanchez.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com