Gregorio Diaz Perez

Gregorio Diaz “Greg” Perez 95, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026. He was born in Sinajana Village, Guam Marianas Islands on June 20, 1931, to Jesus Salas Perez and Conception De Leon Guerrero Diaz Perez. Greg was 10 years old when Japan occupied the island of Guam on December 11, 1941, and 13 years old when the Americans liberated Guam on July 21, 1944. Greg enlisted in the U.S. Army October 7, 1950, under the Marianas-Bonins Command (MARBO) APO 246 under the Far East Command (FEC) led by General Douglas MacArthur. He was assigned to the Heavy Mortar Co. 224th Infantry Regiment at Camp Cooke, California and was shipped out to Japan April 1951 to receive additional forward training before his unit was sent to engage in the Korean War on October 1951. During his service in Korea, he was positioned just behind the front lines supporting our troops as a 1st gunner motarmen and advanced in rank to squad leader. Greg received many medals during his service to our country. The National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army Occupational Medal (Japan), Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal and W/1 Bronze Service Star. He returned from the Korean War to the United States in 1954 and was stationed at Ft. Lewis where he met the love of his life, Barbara Greenhalgh, at a local grange hall dance and they married November 12, 1954. Greg continued his service in the Army Reserve for 25+ years. They lived in Tacoma where they raised their three children. Greg worked at Harmon Cabinet company for 30 years, as well as Washington State Department of Corrections where he retired June 01, 1996. Greg and his beloved wife moved from their Puyallup home of 43+ years to Bonaventure Senior Assisted Living in May of 2021 prior to her passing April of 2024. Greg enjoyed spending time with family, woodworking, dancing, trips to the local casinos, playing poker, but most of all his weekly Combat Infantry Association meetings and the brotherhood they all shared. Greg is survived by his daughter Maureen Westgard, his sons Glen Perez (Susan Evans), Gary (Jodi) Perez; four grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife Barbara Perez, his father and mother Jesus Salas Perez and Conception De Leon Guerrero Diaz Perez; and his eleven siblings.

 A memorial service with honors will be held on September 10, 2026, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. The family would like to thank Bonaventure Senior Assisted Living and their entire staff; Good Samaritan Hospital for the impeccable care they provided. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Disabled American Veterans www.dav.org or the Puget Sound Honor Flight http://pugetsoundhonorflight.org