Samuel Gompers High School Alumni
Bronx, New York (NY)
Recent Members
| Alex Goldberg | 1941 |
| Benjamin Nelson | 1973 |
| Donald Vasquez Vasquez | 1980 |
| Jonathan Caceres | 2009 |
| Jose Aponte | 1972 |
| Nelson Izquierdo | 1987 |
| Ronald Jenkins | 1968 |
| Vincent Rodriguez | 1949 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Samuel Gompers High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Panthers lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Albert W. Paul
Class of 1954
Marine Corps, 4 Years
6613 Aviation Electronics
HMX-1 & HMR-263
Class of 1954
Marine Corps, 4 Years
6613 Aviation Electronics
HMX-1 & HMR-263
carlos a martir Khan r
Class of 1972
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
OCS class 75.commissioned field artillery. Branch transferred to jag. Retired 2000 grade of major. Multiple deployments.
Class of 1972
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
OCS class 75.commissioned field artillery. Branch transferred to jag. Retired 2000 grade of major. Multiple deployments.
Fernando Munoz
Class of 1957
Air Force, 4 Years
Crash & Structural Firefighter at Keesler Field, Biloxi, MS, Otis AFB & King Salmon AFB in Alaska.
Class of 1957
Air Force, 4 Years
Crash & Structural Firefighter at Keesler Field, Biloxi, MS, Otis AFB & King Salmon AFB in Alaska.
Fred Horman
Class of 1965
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Vietnam - September 67 - November 68
Class of 1965
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Vietnam - September 67 - November 68
George Schaffhauser
Class of 1949
Air Force, 4 Years
Radar Tech...many different bases
Class of 1949
Air Force, 4 Years
Radar Tech...many different bases
James Rogers
Class of 1977
Navy, 20+ Years
AT2 onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in 1978. Currently MA1 onboard NAVSTA NORFOLK.
Class of 1977
Navy, 20+ Years
AT2 onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in 1978. Currently MA1 onboard NAVSTA NORFOLK.
John A Marcangelo
Class of 1946
Army, 2 Years
Combat Engrs Punch Bowl Heartbreak Ridge Five months on the front line 38 th Parallel.
Now living in Burlington, Ma.
Class of 1946
Army, 2 Years
Combat Engrs Punch Bowl Heartbreak Ridge Five months on the front line 38 th Parallel.
Now living in Burlington, Ma.
John Banyi
Class of 1955
Air Force, 20+ Years
Started out in 1961 as enlisted person, working in the Aero-Medical Evacuation System. Receiveda BA in Math from SUNY New Paltz and entered Officer Trainining School in 1966, and graduated in August 1966. Went to the basic Air Force Communications School at Keesler AFB, MS, and finished in May 1967. Assigned to the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing at Vandenberg CA, and assigned as the Chief Communications Officer for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory program before it became the NASAs Shuttle program. Then I was assigned to the 2128 Comm Squadron at Tainan Air Base, Taiwan, and assigned as the Chief of Communcations Operations. Then assigned to the 1946th Communications Squadron located at Tempelhof Central Airport, Berlin Germany, as Chief of Communications Operations. RThe U.S. icommunications interface with the Allied Kommanditura. Then I went to the advanced Air Force Communications School at Keesler AFB, MS. Upon graduation assigned to the Concepts, Systems and Studies Division of the Tactical Air Force Intelligence Deputate, at Langley AFB, VA. Functioned as the Chief Communications Engineer, in developing several ground intelligence interpretation systems, and integration of intellegence with ground operations, which were used in Desert Storm Operations. Then assigned to the 1946th Communications Group, Yokpota AB, Japan. Worked several intelligence projects in Japan and Korea. Then assigned back to the Concepts, Systems and Studies Division of the Intelligence Deputate at HQ Tact, Langley AFB, VA. Retired May, 1983.
Class of 1955
Air Force, 20+ Years
Started out in 1961 as enlisted person, working in the Aero-Medical Evacuation System. Receiveda BA in Math from SUNY New Paltz and entered Officer Trainining School in 1966, and graduated in August 1966. Went to the basic Air Force Communications School at Keesler AFB, MS, and finished in May 1967. Assigned to the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing at Vandenberg CA, and assigned as the Chief Communications Officer for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory program before it became the NASAs Shuttle program. Then I was assigned to the 2128 Comm Squadron at Tainan Air Base, Taiwan, and assigned as the Chief of Communcations Operations. Then assigned to the 1946th Communications Squadron located at Tempelhof Central Airport, Berlin Germany, as Chief of Communications Operations. RThe U.S. icommunications interface with the Allied Kommanditura. Then I went to the advanced Air Force Communications School at Keesler AFB, MS. Upon graduation assigned to the Concepts, Systems and Studies Division of the Tactical Air Force Intelligence Deputate, at Langley AFB, VA. Functioned as the Chief Communications Engineer, in developing several ground intelligence interpretation systems, and integration of intellegence with ground operations, which were used in Desert Storm Operations. Then assigned to the 1946th Communications Group, Yokpota AB, Japan. Worked several intelligence projects in Japan and Korea. Then assigned back to the Concepts, Systems and Studies Division of the Intelligence Deputate at HQ Tact, Langley AFB, VA. Retired May, 1983.
Jose R. Diaz
Class of 1987
Army, 8 Years
Served in Gulf War - Dessert Storm, Dessert Shield, Liberation of Kuwait.
Class of 1987
Army, 8 Years
Served in Gulf War - Dessert Storm, Dessert Shield, Liberation of Kuwait.
Leonard Echevarria
Class of 1960
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Enlisted OCT 61 Released from active duty March 1966. I was in the communication field for four years. Did all my duty between Camp Lejeune and MCAF New River, N.C.++
Deployments to the Caribbean and Europe on the USS Boxer LPH. Not as mean, Not as green but always a Marine. Semper fi
Class of 1960
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Enlisted OCT 61 Released from active duty March 1966. I was in the communication field for four years. Did all my duty between Camp Lejeune and MCAF New River, N.C.++
Deployments to the Caribbean and Europe on the USS Boxer LPH. Not as mean, Not as green but always a Marine. Semper fi
Leonard W. Echevarria
Class of 1960
Marine Corps, 5 Years
Boot Camp Paris Island, Oct. 61 - Feb. 62 promoted to PFC out of boot camp. Then to comm. school at Camp Geiger MTC NC then MCAF, NC. Served 41/2 years there except for one deployment on Steel Pike in the Atlantic' Europe and the Caribbean . My last 1/2 year was COG. Released from active duty with the rank of E-4.
My younger brother that is in the picture with me also graduated from SGVOTEC and a Marine,pulled one tour in Vietnam the rest at Camp Legune NC. We are members of MCL #668 Galveston TX. Semper fi
Class of 1960
Marine Corps, 5 Years
Boot Camp Paris Island, Oct. 61 - Feb. 62 promoted to PFC out of boot camp. Then to comm. school at Camp Geiger MTC NC then MCAF, NC. Served 41/2 years there except for one deployment on Steel Pike in the Atlantic' Europe and the Caribbean . My last 1/2 year was COG. Released from active duty with the rank of E-4.
My younger brother that is in the picture with me also graduated from SGVOTEC and a Marine,pulled one tour in Vietnam the rest at Camp Legune NC. We are members of MCL #668 Galveston TX. Semper fi
Lucas Vega
Class of 1968
Air Force, 4 Years
1968-1972...Stationed at Brandywine Transmitter Site in Maryland for Two Years...
Then Two years in Elizondo Spain, Radar Site.
Class of 1968
Air Force, 4 Years
1968-1972...Stationed at Brandywine Transmitter Site in Maryland for Two Years...
Then Two years in Elizondo Spain, Radar Site.
Pedro "Pete" Rodriguez
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Proudly served in the Marine Corps with various ground, air, and support units in a myriad of duties, jobs, and capabilities and in combat theaters of operation to include "Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Also served as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, S.C. from 1994-1996 training recruits to become basically trained Marines.
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Proudly served in the Marine Corps with various ground, air, and support units in a myriad of duties, jobs, and capabilities and in combat theaters of operation to include "Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Also served as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, S.C. from 1994-1996 training recruits to become basically trained Marines.
Peter McLarnon
Class of 1958
Army, 2 Years
Military Police 1966-1967 Ft. Riley Kansas
1967-1968 Viet Nam =
Nah Trang & Phu Bai
wounded May 22, 1968 in Phu Bai
Mostly recovered
Class of 1958
Army, 2 Years
Military Police 1966-1967 Ft. Riley Kansas
1967-1968 Viet Nam =
Nah Trang & Phu Bai
wounded May 22, 1968 in Phu Bai
Mostly recovered
Placido Figueroa
Class of 1962
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant after 27 years of service.to our nation. Enlisted in September 1963 and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, TX.
The training I recieved at Gompers helped me go straight into the communications field at Cape Kennedy Florida. I worked on several man, spcce miissle programs there. I soon served in the Viet Nam Theater for two plus years. I had the pleasure to travel the world and remember the good times I had at Gompers. I retired in February, 1991 in Sacramento, California. I presently live in Montevallo Alabama completely retired.
Class of 1962
Air Force, 20+ Years
Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant after 27 years of service.to our nation. Enlisted in September 1963 and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, TX.
The training I recieved at Gompers helped me go straight into the communications field at Cape Kennedy Florida. I worked on several man, spcce miissle programs there. I soon served in the Viet Nam Theater for two plus years. I had the pleasure to travel the world and remember the good times I had at Gompers. I retired in February, 1991 in Sacramento, California. I presently live in Montevallo Alabama completely retired.
Richard Halpern
Class of 1964
Air Force, 4 Years
After graduation I joined the Air Force. I was trained as a aircraft instrumentation and Navigation technician. I worked mostly on F4’s. I was stationed at the following bases. Craig AFB Alabama. Seymore Johnson AFB n. Carolina, Tan Son Nhut Air Base Vietnam. Da Nang Air Base Vietnam. Shaw AFB S. Carolina.
Class of 1964
Air Force, 4 Years
After graduation I joined the Air Force. I was trained as a aircraft instrumentation and Navigation technician. I worked mostly on F4’s. I was stationed at the following bases. Craig AFB Alabama. Seymore Johnson AFB n. Carolina, Tan Son Nhut Air Base Vietnam. Da Nang Air Base Vietnam. Shaw AFB S. Carolina.
Richard Halpern
Class of 1964
Air Force, 4 Years
USAF 1964 - 1968
Vietnam Jan 1967 to Jan 1968
Class of 1964
Air Force, 4 Years
USAF 1964 - 1968
Vietnam Jan 1967 to Jan 1968
Richard Rivera
Class of 1971
Air Force, 20+ Years
Jun 1971 - Aug 1971, Lackland AFB, TX, Air Force Basic Training 3723 Squadron Flight 1009. Aug 1971 - Feb 1972, F.E. Warren AFB, WY, 809th Security Police Squadron, Security Policeman, Missile Defense. Feb 1972 - Mar 1972 Lackland AFB, TX, Combat training for South East Asia tour of duty. Mar 1972 - March 1973, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 432nd Security Police Squadron, Security Policeman, Base Defense. Apr 1973 - Jun 1974, McGuire AFB, NJ, 2017th Communications Squadron, Ground Radio Operator Military Affiliate Radio Systems. Jun 1974 - Jun 1977, Torrejon AFB, Spain, HQ 1989th Communications Group, Ground Radio and Weather Intercept Operator. Jul 1977 - Jan 1981, Hickam AFB, HI, 6594th Test Group, Airborne Communications Systems Flight Instructor/Examiner. Jan 1981 - Mar 1981, Lackland AFB, TX, USAF Recruiting School. Mar 1981 - Oct 1983, Newburgh, NY 3516th USAF Recruiting Squadron, Unit OTS Recruiter in Wayne and Hackensack, NJ. Nov 1983 - May 1986, Tinker AFB, OK, 965th AWACS, Airborne Instructor Communications Systems Technician, flew multiple missions in the Persian Gulf. May 1986 - Apr 1988, Elmendorf AFB, AK, 962nd AWACS NCOIC Communications Systems Operator Training. Flew multiple missions intercepting Soviet aircraft's. Apr 1988 - Jun 1992, Elmendorf AFB, AK, 603rd Communications Squadron, Superintendent Command Graphics and Assistant Base Visual Information Manager. Jul 1992 Retired after 21 years of Honorable Service. Awarded 2 Meritorious Medals, Air Medal, 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, 5 Good Conduct Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with 2 Battle Stars, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Senior Aircrew Member Wing, Converted Recruiting Silver Badge, and numerous other awards.
Class of 1971
Air Force, 20+ Years
Jun 1971 - Aug 1971, Lackland AFB, TX, Air Force Basic Training 3723 Squadron Flight 1009. Aug 1971 - Feb 1972, F.E. Warren AFB, WY, 809th Security Police Squadron, Security Policeman, Missile Defense. Feb 1972 - Mar 1972 Lackland AFB, TX, Combat training for South East Asia tour of duty. Mar 1972 - March 1973, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 432nd Security Police Squadron, Security Policeman, Base Defense. Apr 1973 - Jun 1974, McGuire AFB, NJ, 2017th Communications Squadron, Ground Radio Operator Military Affiliate Radio Systems. Jun 1974 - Jun 1977, Torrejon AFB, Spain, HQ 1989th Communications Group, Ground Radio and Weather Intercept Operator. Jul 1977 - Jan 1981, Hickam AFB, HI, 6594th Test Group, Airborne Communications Systems Flight Instructor/Examiner. Jan 1981 - Mar 1981, Lackland AFB, TX, USAF Recruiting School. Mar 1981 - Oct 1983, Newburgh, NY 3516th USAF Recruiting Squadron, Unit OTS Recruiter in Wayne and Hackensack, NJ. Nov 1983 - May 1986, Tinker AFB, OK, 965th AWACS, Airborne Instructor Communications Systems Technician, flew multiple missions in the Persian Gulf. May 1986 - Apr 1988, Elmendorf AFB, AK, 962nd AWACS NCOIC Communications Systems Operator Training. Flew multiple missions intercepting Soviet aircraft's. Apr 1988 - Jun 1992, Elmendorf AFB, AK, 603rd Communications Squadron, Superintendent Command Graphics and Assistant Base Visual Information Manager. Jul 1992 Retired after 21 years of Honorable Service. Awarded 2 Meritorious Medals, Air Medal, 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, 5 Good Conduct Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with 2 Battle Stars, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Senior Aircrew Member Wing, Converted Recruiting Silver Badge, and numerous other awards.
Saul Cornell
Class of 1955
Army, 5 Years
musician 61st Army Band musician West Point Band
Class of 1955
Army, 5 Years
musician 61st Army Band musician West Point Band
Shavonne Castro
Class of 1994
Navy, 14 Years
Cryptologic Technician Interpretive First Class
Class of 1994
Navy, 14 Years
Cryptologic Technician Interpretive First Class
Steven Weinstein
Class of 1965
, 4 Years
Served 2 tours in Vietnam between April 68-April 69 and Feb 70-Feb 71. Member of the Top Secret US Army Security Agency. Performed ARDF with over 1200 hours over hostile territory
Class of 1965
, 4 Years
Served 2 tours in Vietnam between April 68-April 69 and Feb 70-Feb 71. Member of the Top Secret US Army Security Agency. Performed ARDF with over 1200 hours over hostile territory
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Samuel Gompers High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Panthers.
School News
SGT Eugene Edwards
Does anyone remember Eugene Edwards? He was killed in Vietnam in 1970. I am trying to find a picture of Eugene to honor...
Read More »
Our Samuel Gompers High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Samuel Gompers High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Bronx are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!