Jose Moya Honored for His Service

April 8 was a big day for the late Jose “Manuel” Moya. Not only was he honored for his service with his very own military banner installation ceremony but it also marked his 82nd birthday. Moya passed away on March 31, 2011 at age 77. “It was a beautiful day,” Moya’s daughter Gina shared. His five children, Jose Moya, Jr., Randy Moya, Chris Moya, Angel Moya-Combs, and Gina Moya, their mother Adeline, and plenty of family and friends gathered outside his favorite hang-out spot, “Linko’s,” in Colton that day to honor him and install his very own military banner. Moya was born on April 8, 1933 in Apache Canyon, New Mexico. After graduating from Colton High School, he earned his Associate of Arts Degree at San Bernardino Valley College in 1961. He served in the United States Navy for four years, from 1951 to 1955. As he served during the Korean War, he was aboard the Destroyer Gurke D.D. 783 serving as Hot Shellman #2 Gun. Moya received multiple accolades during his service including: Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal by Snyman, Ree, The Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, China Service Medal, 4 Korean Service Medals, and Battle Stars. In the midst of it all, he married Adeline Beltran and had five children. After his service, he worked at Norton Air Force Base for 37 years. Although Moya and his ex-wife got a divorce they were married for 30 years and always remained good friends. Aside from his 5 children, he also has 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The location of his banner was intended to be right in front of Linko’s, on 9th Street, because it was Moya’s favorite hangout spot. “He was a regular there,” Gina shared. Linko’s provided appetizers and their support for the Installation Ceremony to honor Moya, as well. According to Gina, Moya was known around town to be the Beer Pong (BP) King. She added, “He always just wanted to have a good time and he always made sure everyone was okay.” Gina explained that he always wanted to have doves at his funeral; however, they were unable to get them. Therefore, his family made sure to have five doves, a dove for each of his children, to fly out of a box at his military banner installation ceremony. “We are all very proud of my dad,” she said. “My mom got a little choked up…it was a very proud day.”