U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs

Compact Soldiers Receive US Citizenship

Saipan Tribune 02-21-2005

(Sgt. Fabian Indalecio) Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - Three members of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, Company E-which is made up mostly of reservists from the CNMI-have been granted U.S. citizenships in recognition of their efforts in helping the U.S. military rebuild Iraq.The granting of U.S. citizenship to Staff Sgt. Phillip Karatel, who is Chuukese; Spc. Marshon Mongami, who is from Palau; and Pfc. Randy Ignacio, also from Palau, was expedited by order of President Bush to ensure that they would land on Iraq already as U.S. citizens. For Karatel, this has been a dream that has been 17 years in the making and comes on the heels of his recent promotion from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. He had served the U.S. Army for 17 years. "I'm glad to use all my 17 years of training in Iraq and I'm happy and proud to be a part of this great country," he said. He added, "I want to wish for my wife, Myrna, and my children, Daniel, David, Brandon, and Yvonne to be safe and that I will be home soon."When asked how he feels about being a U.S. citizen now, Ignacio responded humbly with a smile, "I'm privileged to be a U.S. citizen. I've been trying to apply for a long time, but since my deployment, it was very fast to be processed. I'm very proud to serve in Iraq and I'm looking forward to return home safely to my wife, Jennifer, and my children, Jearrette, Cherrish, Rodney Josh, and Koro." He also encouraged his friends to join the U.S. Army.As for Mongami, he thought for a moment, reflecting on his feelings and responded in a very soft quiet voice, "I'm always proud to serve my country." Both Ignacio and Mongami have been with the U.S. Army for about three to four years already.The soldiers of the 100 Battalion, 442d Infantry, Company E from the CNMI were informed early last year to prepare for deployment to Iraq. The community has rallied together to support their soldiers on the journey ahead.Sgt. Fabian Indalecio, who is with Company E and did this interview via e-mail, said the company and their commander, Franklin R. Babauta, accepted the order from their superior "with humbleness and pride, like typical island boys."

"They went on to train and ready to fight for their country. For most soldiers, they are fighting for their country, the United States of America. These three soldiers are heroes in a special way because they joined the Army, trained and obeyed the order of the U.S. President to fight the 'war on terrorism' knowing that they do not hold the citizenship of the United States of America, a country that they are fighting for," said Indalecio. He said the three's citizenship request was expeditiously granted as a means for Bush to say "thank you for serving-now-your country."