Jose Manansala Balingit

José Manansala Balingit was born on March 17th, 1933 in Masantol Pampanga, Philippines. José was the eldest of three sons born to Pasquala Manansala (mother) and Rosendo Balingit (father). After the passing of his father at an early age, José and his younger brothers (Delfin and Orlando) lived with their single mother and their paternal grandmother, Segundina Balingit. José was often cared for by his uncles and aunts, and grew up alongside his cousins.

In 1956, José married Honorata Guinto in a Catholic church of their hometown. To better provide for his wife and children, José took the United States Navy exam out of Subic Bay, Philippines in 1960. In the same year, José was shipped to San Diego, California to start his career in the U.S. Navy. Having grown up in poverty, José saw the U.S. Navy as a vehicle to mobilize his family and build a better life for them in America. During his career in the Navy, José served on the U.S.S. Marshall DD-676, the U.S.S. Tingey DD-539, the U.S.S. Buchanan DDG-14, the U.S.S. Vancouver LPD-2, and the U.S.S. Marvin Shields FF-1066 during the Vietnam Era. José’s decorations and awards include: the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medals, and the Order of the Shellback. In 1970, José petitioned to move his wife and their four children to the United States, where they made a home and had another child in San Diego, California.

After 20 years of service in the United States Navy, José retired as a Petty Officer, First Class in 1980. Following retirement, José completed his general education and earned an Associates of the Arts Degree from San Diego City College in 1984. José was described as a self-made mechanic who often enjoyed working on his car and taking apart and re-assembling fine watches. José also enjoyed hobbies such as raising quails with his youngest son, cutting hair for his family members, cooking, and photography. José was a man of faith, an avid scripture reader, and a fan of music from the era of James Dean and Frank Sinatra.

Rather than pursuing a secondary career after his retirement from the Navy, José dedicated his time to raising his grandchildren, all of whom he was especially proud of. José often remarked that the highlight of his life was the admittance of one of his grandsons to the West Point Military Academy and that all of his granddaughters were college educated.

Jose was a man with a special sense of duty and responsibility to his family and loved ones. He mobilized and provided for his wife and children from afar while serving in the U.S. Navy and, when he retired, invested his time in the upbringing of his grandchildren. José passed away in his own home, surrounded by his loved ones, and his legacy lives on through his 5 children and 8 grandchildren who will always remember and appreciate everything he accomplished in life.