Pedro Olivari Montañez

Pedro Olivari Montanez was born Yauco, Puerto Rico to Margarita Olivari on 6 August 1926. Early in life he discovered his true passion in life – being a soldier. Therefore, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. Upon the end of the Second World War, he discharged in 1946 in order to complete his education under the GI Bill at the University of Puerto Rico where he was also enrolled in the Army ROTC program. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Magdalena Olmo. The advent of the Korean War interrupted his pursuit of a college degree. However, prior to his deployment, he married Magdalena on 4 July 1952. In Korea, Pedro served in the Korean theater of operations for the duration of the war where he distinguished himself in combat and was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star for actions against the enemy. Additionally, he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat. After the war, Pedro remained in the armed forces where he served in a variety of duty stations and positions to include graduating from the U.S. Army Ranger school and being awarded the coveted Ranger Tab. Afterwards, Pedro was an instructor at the School of the Americas in Panama and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam with one of those tours being with the 1st Air Cavalry Division. After the war, he continued in the Army until his retirement in 1978 which concluded his 30 plus years of service.

During his entire career, Pedro received the following citations and decorations: American Theater Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, United Nations service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge (2nd Award), the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal with V device, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Device, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (second award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Legion of Merit.

After leaving the service, Pedro worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 10 years at the main sorting/distribution facility at the Tampa International Airport. During this time, he was involved in various community organizations to include the Land O Lakes chapters of the American Legion Post 108, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Moose Lodge.

Throughout his life, Pedro was known for his honesty and sincere desire to help those in need. He was a gregarious personality with his house becoming the center of activity amongst a close but rather expansive group of friends. He prided himself on being the perfect host. Pedro was a voracious reader – deeply knowledgeable in military and world culture histories and in astronomy. Along with this, he always kept himself busy with the upkeep of his yard. Perhaps he did not quite have a “green thumb” but he loved working outside nonetheless.

Pedro is survived by his wife of 69 years, Magdalena Olivari and his two sons, Pedro Olivari and Rene’ Olivari.

A memorial service will be held at the Blount and Curry Funeral Home on Monday, 18 April, at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at a date/time to be determined. Arrangements are by Blount and Curry Funeral Home.

The family of Pedro Olivari Montanez wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home for all the assistance and care they provided over the past year.