MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Every Marine has a story of who they are, where they’re from and why they joined the Corps.
The story of Pfc. Owen O. Valdivia, a motor-transportation mechanic with Combat Logistics Company 36 here, is one of triumph over an overwhelming loss.
Valdivia was born in Havana, Cuba, 22 years ago.
He immigrated to the United States when he was nine years old with his mother, father and older brother.
“I still remember how difficult it was for us living in Cuba,” said Valdivia. “Over there, the government decides what you can and cannot have. Everything is rationed in Cuba, from rice and electricity to the number of pigs a farmer can have."
Everything is rationed in Cuba, from rice and electricity to the number of pigs a farmer can have.
“We were lucky because we had family already settled in America that could help us get out of Cuba."
Valdivia’s family was sponsored by relatives already living in the U.S. to flee Cuba for a better life in Tampa, Florida.
Valdivia’s father Obed worked three jobs for the first four years after the family relocated to America in order to pay off the money loaned to him.
“My father taught my brother and I the importance of being self-reliant,” said Valdivia. “He raised us to understand that nothing is given to you in this life — you have to earn it.”
Growing up Valdivia applied these values at school and in sports.
He played on his high school wrestling, basketball, and baseball teams and graduated high school with a 4.9-grade average.
Valdivia also excelled in extracurricular activities, taking up a special interest in racing and working on motorcycles.
He shared his passion for motorcycles with his best friend, Ramon Rodriguez.
“Ramon and I did everything together,” he said. “We partied together, raced and fixed motorcycles together, and talked about becoming Marines together.”
Ramon and Valdivia frequented the same Marine recruiting station in Tampa. They talked about shipping out together so they could share the experience of recruit training.
“We both had good jobs at the time and were making good money, so we kept putting the idea off to one side and delaying our ship-out date,” said Valdivia.
Unfortunately, May of 2007 Ramon was killed in a motorcycle accident and their idea of becoming Marines together was forever shattered.
Valdivia quickly spiraled into a depression.
He mourned the death of his best friend for a year until finally, he walked into his recruiting station, on his own this time, to promptly enlist in the Marine Corps.
“I told my recruiter, ‘You got to get me out of here as soon as possible,’” he said. “Two weeks later, I was already on Parris Island.”
On Feb. 27, Valdivia came to Japan to begin a two-year tour aboard the air station.
“He hasn’t been here long, but he has already proven to be a hard worker,” said Sgt. Andrew J. Gleason, motor transportation shop chief with CLC-36. “I see great leadership potential in Valdivia and can see him taking charge and responsibility real soon.”
As a motor transportation mechanic, Valdivia works on and maintains dozens of vehicles needed to support flight operations here.
Although he laments not being able to share his Marine Corps experience with Ramon, he has no regrets in signing up.
“Some people hate waking up early and working long hours, but I laugh at it,” he said. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Ramon, but I’m sure if he was here with me, he’d be laughing at it all too.