Felipe Alayon

Felipe Alayón-Martinez Felipe, one of six siblings, was born on April 11, 1927 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Francisco Alayón, a police officer, and Josefina Alayón, a dedicated mother. In 1944, Felipe and a group of friends joined the Army on a dare at the age of 16. He served during the war as a firefighter on a B-29 base in Cuba. After World War II, he returned to civilian life to study Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico. At the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, he reenlisted and served with the 65th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers. Felipe was seriously wounded in combat at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea and received a Purple Heart. After the Korean War, Felipe joined the 82nd Airborne. He became an Atomic Veteran in Operation Plumbbob in 1957, participating in nuclear exercises including the infamous “Smoky” detonation. In the 1960's, Felipe's Army career turned to the Air Defense Artillery and Fort Bliss. He served during the Vietnam War, receiving an Army Commendation Medal. He retired from the Army in 1968 and became a Hawk and Patriot missile field engineer with Raytheon taking on assignments in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It was during this transition he met his wife Concepción Elizabeth Payán, a native of the El Paso area. His first child, daughter Vanessa Amaris was born in 1974. A son, Abraham, followed in 1977. His family took Felipe's absence in stride, awaiting to be regaled by stories of his travels upon his return. In 1990, Felipe was working in Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion. Due to his ability to blend in with the local populace and courage in the face of danger, he was able to help people escape the Iraqi army. After some time he managed to make his way to the US Embassy in Kuwait where he waited for release with embassy staff while being surrounded be Iraqi forces. Felipe did not sit idle, he would leave the embassy to procure fruits and supplies for children who were inside. For his courage, he was awarded the Meritorious Honor Award in 1991 by the Secretary of State James Baker III and later an Army Commendation for Civilian Service Award in 1993 for helping prepare Patriot missile defenses during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He retired in 1995 after 24 years of service with Raytheon. His retirement was the opposite of his career; a relatively quiet life spent in El Paso, with his wife and his dogs. Felipe was a tough, loyal and loving father and husband who took on all these adventures to provide for his family. Felipe endured a long illness with the same grace and strength he displayed during his entire career, taking things “one step at a time”. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Concepción Elizabeth Alayón, daughter Vanessa Alayón-Stewart, son-in-law Walter Stewart and granddaughter Sophie Stewart, son Abraham Alayón and daughter-in-law Charlesa Hice, siblings Adolfo G Alayón, Jenny Alayón, Ileana Monzon. He is also survived by his two beloved Chihuahuas, Chula and Chiquita. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be from 5:00- 9:00 PM with a Vigil/Rosary at 6:00 PM, Monday, August 15, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Funeral Mass will be said at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Committal Service will follow at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.