1stSgt Maurice H. Freitas, USMC, (Ret)

Maurice Herbert Freitas ("Freitas") died peacefully in his sleep on October 17, 2015. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Morningstar Senior Living, Sparks, Nevada.

Freitas was born at Saint Mary's Hospital, Reno, Nevada on November 17, 1928. He was the adopted son of Constantine and Alvina Freitas who owned a small dairy ranch south of Yerington, Nevada. He attended the Barrett School for his elementary schooling and then one year at Yerington High School. At the age of 14, he left home to work in the railroad yards in Hawthorne living with family friends. After his 15th birthday, he enlisted into the Marine Corps by altering his baptismal record.

Initially trained as a Para-marine, he was later assigned to the 5th Marine Division where he took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima. During this battle, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and two purple hearts for wounds received during the battle. The RGJ and Mason Valley News carried news articles about the "Boy Marine wins Medal."

After the war, he returned home and attempted to go back to high school, but upon turning 18 years of age, he returned to the Marine Corps. During his follow-on military career he took part in the Korean War, fighting at Pusan, Inchon, and the Chosin Reservoir. At the Chosin Reservoir, he was wounded during the Chinese Offensive against the 1st Marine Division. Although suffering gun shot wounds and the loss of his fingers on his left hand, he remained in the Marine Corps and saw combat action in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966.

Freitas was medically discharged from the Marine Corps in 1967 with the rank of 1st Sergeant. In 1999, the Marine Corps updated his personal awards by awarding him the Combat Action Ribbon with two gold stars to signify his combat service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Upon his retirement from the military, Freitas moved his family back to Yerington and worked for the Lyon County School District for 27 years. Initially hired as a custodian, Freitas advanced through the ranks to the position of Director of Transportation for the school district. He retired from Lyon County Schools in 1995.

While recovering at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, California from the wounds he sustained in Korea, Freitas met his future wife, Elizabeth M. Lukoskie, who was a Navy nurse at the hospital. The two were married on December 1, 1951 at The Holy Family Church in Yerington. They remained married until Elizabeth's death in March of 2011. Together they had four children: Nan Marie Freitas, Mark Freitas (Vicki), Michael Freitas (Lorri), and Neal Freitas. Freitas is survived by his four children, as well as his six grandchildren: Wesley Harris, Allyson Freitas, Byrne Miyamoto, Natalie Freitas, Kassidy Freitas, and Madison Freitas.

A celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, May 14 at the Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers in Maurice's name to the Disabled American Veterans charity at www.dav.org.

And when he goes to Heaven, to St. Peter he will tell, "Another Marine reporting, Sir, I've served my time in hell."

Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911