A graveside service with full military honors for Fernando will be held Monday, August 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM in Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907. Family will visit with friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907 before going in procession into Parkhill for the graveside service.
Fernando was born on July 30, 1930 in Cantano, Puerto Rico, to the late Manuel Traverso and Palmira Geigel. He served in the United States Army and the United States Army Pacific, where he fought in Korea from June 1950 - July 1953 and in Vietnam from July 1968-July 1969. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 2nd Award, and the Army Commendation Medal. He retired in April of 1972 with the title of Specialist E-5 Sargent, with a combined 22 years of service in the United States Army and the United States Army Pacific.
Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Maria A. Maldonado and his son, Rafael J. Traverso.
He is survived by his son Manuel Traverso; 3 grandchildren: Lessette Ford, Rafael Traverso, and Raymond Traverso; and 4 great grandchildren.
