On November 10, 2015, at 1:00 pm, a Veterans Day Recognition will be held at the Santa Clara Village Hall to honor Mario L. Kirker, a long-time resident of Santa Clara and a Navy veteran of World War II. Family, friends and neighbors are invited to attend.
Mario L. Kirker, was born in the mining town of Santa Rita, New Mexico, and relocated to Santa Clara as a young child. At a very young age, he saw the need to work and contribute to the family income. In 1943, at the age of 17 and working long hours with minimal pay, he looked for better opportunities and decided to join the military.
After the initial three-month training, Mr. Kirker underwent additional training in the landing of military craft. This training prepared him for assignment to the crew which would take possession of a new ship—the LST 123--which was being built on dry dock in preparation for use as an aircraft landing vessel.
When the new ship was completed, it travelled from Evansville, Indiana, down the Mississippi River to Gulfport, Mississippi. In New Orleans, it received its camouflauge paint coating and was outfitted for the sea.
With its new crew and its first cargo, the LST 123 was dispatched to the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal. It traveled across the Pacific Ocean, making several stops along the way, eventually arriving at Port Noumea, New Caledonia, where the tank cargo was unloaded. She was then reloaded and sent to the Solomon Islands which was to be the main operating base for several months. Trips were made trips to Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Green Islands, where it picked up equipment, and evacuated native residents. As it prepared for war, the LST picked up Marines in New Guinea and made several trips to include Guam and Saipan.
Mr. Kirker was trained as a diesel mechanic and was assigned to the "Black Gang" stationed in the back area of the 2nd Deck. The gang was in charge of assuring that the ship had sufficient power to handle two big guns.
The first war encounter for the LST was in 1944, as the crew experienced scarcity of commodities, heavy invasions, and associated tragedies. The on-site effects of the war were disastrous.
Upon his military discharge, Mr. Kirker gained employment throughout Grant County to provide for his wife and family. Knowing the importance of a high school diploma, he dedicated whatever spare time was available to receive his GED certification.
Mr. Kirker worked for the Cobre Consolidated Schools, the Village of Bayard, the Village of Central, and Kennecott Copper Corporation, and retired from Chino Mines Company in 1987. He continues assisting his son's ownership of Kirker's Upholstery in Santa Clara, where he oversees the operation and maintains hands-on involvement.On November 10, 2015, at 1:00 pm, a Veterans Day Recognition will be held at the Santa Clara Village Hall to honor Mario L. Kirker, a long-time resident of Santa Clara and a Navy veteran of World War II. Family, friends and neighbors are invited to attend.
Mario L. Kirker, was born in the mining town of Santa Rita, New Mexico, and relocated to Santa Clara as a young child. At a very young age, he saw the need to work and contribute to the family income. In 1943, at the age of 17 and working long hours with minimal pay, he looked for better opportunities and decided to join the military.
After the initial three-month training, Mr. Kirker underwent additional training in the landing of military craft. This training prepared him for assignment to the crew which would take possession of a new ship—the LST 123--which was being built on dry dock in preparation for use as an aircraft landing vessel.
When the new ship was completed, it travelled from Evansville, Indiana, down the Mississippi River to Gulfport, Mississippi. In New Orleans, it received its camouflauge paint coating and was outfitted for the sea.
With its new crew and its first cargo, the LST 123 was dispatched to the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal. It traveled across the Pacific Ocean, making several stops along the way, eventually arriving at Port Noumea, New Caledonia, where the tank cargo was unloaded. She was then reloaded and sent to the Solomon Islands which was to be the main operating base for several months. Trips were made trips to Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Green Islands, where it picked up equipment, and evacuated native residents. As it prepared for war, the LST picked up Marines in New Guinea and made several trips to include Guam and Saipan.
Mr. Kirker was trained as a diesel mechanic and was assigned to the "Black Gang" stationed in the back area of the 2nd Deck. The gang was in charge of assuring that the ship had sufficient power to handle two big guns.
The first war encounter for the LST was in 1944, as the crew experienced scarcity of commodities, heavy invasions, and associated tragedies. The on-site effects of the war were disastrous.
Upon his military discharge, Mr. Kirker gained employment throughout Grant County to provide for his wife and family. Knowing the importance of a high school diploma, he dedicated whatever spare time was available to receive his GED certification.
Mr. Kirker worked for the Cobre Consolidated Schools, the Village of Bayard, the Village of Central, and Kennecott Copper Corporation, and retired from Chino Mines Company in 1987. He continues assisting his son's ownership of Kirker's Upholstery in Santa Clara, where he oversees the operation and maintains hands-on involvement.