Roll Call Tribute

Full Biography:

LTC “Pete” Cordero, as hisfriends affectionately called him, passed away at age 90 in San Antonio on 24
February 2012.  Born in San Antonio and raised in Texas and Puerto Rico,LTC Cordero was a second generation Army officer who followed in the footstepsof his father, COL Virgil N. Cordero, Sr who was a highly decorated soldier,twice receiving the Silver Star for his heroic actions during the defense of the Bataan peninsula.  After surrendering to the Japanese forces COL Cordero survived the Bataan Death March and 3 ½ years as a prisoner of war.     LTC Cordero attended Texas Military Institute and Bryan High School before enrolling at Texas A&M University in 1938. During his college years he married his high school sweetheart, Kirby Joyce McKenzie on June, 15, 1940.  He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942, the first A&M class to be graduated after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following graduation and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, he and his classmates shipped off immediately for training and subsequent service in World War II.

LTC Cordero saw action in the Philippines, returning with Gen MacArthur’s forces to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese.  During the Philippine campaign, he was twice decorated for bravery, receiving the Bronze Star for valor in combat.  Following World War II, he continued to serve as an   Infantry officer in Germany and Japan. When the Army created the Military Intelligence Corps, LTC Cordero was one of the first officers assigned.  He subsequently served in a variety of assignments both overseas and in CONUS, ending his career as the Commandant of the Military Intelligence School in US Army, Ryukus Islands (Okinawa).

LTC Cordero retired to Hawaii where he and his wife had ample opportunity to indulge in their favorite sport – golf.  There were many happy days in the warm Hawaiian sunshine however in 1992, he and his wife decided to move to the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, a move he frequently called the best decision he ever made.  LTC Cordero was an active member of the ARC community, continuing to play golf at every opportunity and volunteering in a variety of activities. 

LTC Cordero is survived by his wife of 71 years, Kirby Cordero; his sons, Virgil N Cordero III and Keith M Cordero; his five grandchildren, Jennifer Cordero Magner, Kimberly Cordero Reisinger, Christopher Cordero, Keith M Cordero Jr, and Joyce Cordero; and nine great grandchildren.    

Virgil N. Cordero III
LTC, US Army, Retired
Class of ‘66