Gutierrez awarded medals months after his death

By Darrel Beehner
Staff Writer

Lionel Gutierrez, son of WWII veteran Daniel Gutierrez, shows his stepson, Joey Baldonado, some of the awards his father earned while in the Navy. U.S. Rep. Tom Udall awarded the medals to Lionel Gutierrez on behalf of his father Daniel on Tuesday afternoon at JFK Middle School. Daniel Gutierrez died in December. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

GALLUP — More than four months after his death, a community and a nation tipped their hats and said thank you to Daniel Gutierrez.

A World War II veteran and local civic leader who passed away Dec. 1, 2005, Gutierrez was posthumously awarded a number of medals Tuesday the Gallup resident had earned while fighting in the Pacific Theater some 60 years ago.

U.S. Rep. Tom Udall presented the medals to Gutierrez's son, Lionel, during a ceremony at Kennedy Middle School.

Daniel Gutierrez was serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Curtis on June 21, 1945, when the ship was attacked by a kamikaze bomber, which killed 35 crew members and injured another 21, including Gutierrez.

Gutierrez first contacted Udall in October of 2005 to learn if injuries he sustained during service in WWII qualified him for a Purple Heart. As Udall's office discovered, the Navy could find no documentation relating to his injuries; however, Gutierrez did qualify for eight other honors.

The medals included the:

• WWII Victory Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (Silver)
• Navy Occupation Service Medal
• China Service Medal
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Honorable Service Lapel Pin
• Honorable Discharge Button
  

Lionel, flanked by several family members, accepted the medals from Udall during the ceremony that included presentations to the Civil Air Patrol's Raptor Squadron for being named 2005 New Mexico Squadron of the Year. CAP cadets Wyatt Hoy, Chris Pena and Taylor Trombley were also presented the Billy Mitchell Awards during the event that was attended by several community and state representatives.

In addition to his service in the armed forces, Gutierrez was also acknowledged for his service to the local community. He worked as a district court clerk and served on the Gallup City Council.

"Dan 'the Man' couldn't love his country more," Udall said, adding that much of the "stalwart Democrat's" post-military time was spent "dedicated to making the community better."

"There's nothing more fulfilling than being able to present these medals" to the Gutierrez family.

Rep. Patty Lundstrom recalled Gutierrez helping her understand the democratic process when he served on the Gallup City Council.

Mayor Bob Rosebrough expressed his respect for Gutierrez's military and civil services.

And McKinley County Commissioner Dave Dallago, speaking to Gutierrez's grandchildren who were sitting in the front row of the auditorium, said "thanks for your grandpa. ... Dan always listened to younger people. He always remembered where he came from and he always remembered the little guy."

Sen. Lidio Rainaldi said Gutierrez would always be remembered for his "ultimate sacrifice" as well as his contributions after the war.

As a district court clerk Gutierrez "made sure the melting pot flourished in Gallup" by doing pro-bono work to help immigrants do everything from file for citizenship to getting their driver's licenses, Rainaldi said.

"The community has lost a great man," the senator said. "Dan, we miss you. God bless you."