Florencio Banay Marzan

Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Florencio Marzan was born and raised in Naguilian, La Union, 
Philippines, on February 23, 1943. He joined the United States Navy in 1968 when he was 25 years old. 
In July 1968, Chief Marzan immediately reported to Naval Training Center (NTC), San Diego, 
for Basic Training. After basic training he was assigned to his first ship, the USS Talbot (DEG-4), 
stationed in Newport, RI, where he was designated as a Steward. 
In July 1971, Chief Marzan requested an assignment to Vietnam, which was approved by his 
Commanding Officer. From August 1971 until March 1972, he was stationed on land at the Logistics 
Support Base Nha Be, Vietnam, which was 40 km from Saigon. During his time in Vietnam, he was 
assigned to the officer’s galley as well as perimeter watches by the river banks. 
After Vietnam, Chief Marzan’s ship assignments included: USS Puget Sound (AD-38), Newport, 
Rhode Island (1972); USS Jason (AR-8), San Diego, California (1977); and the USS Cape Cod (AD-43), 
San Diego, California (1984). After serving onboard the USS Puget Sound, Chief Marzan went to school 
at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, to become a Machinery Repairman. He was also stationed at 
Surface Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) in San Diego, California, where he repaired different 
types of machinery. He was promoted to Machinery Repair Chief in 1985. 
Chief Marzan’s decorations and medals include the Meritorious Unit Commendation - “E” (third 
award), Good Conduct Medal (fifth award), Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam 
Service Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment with 3 bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam 
Campaign Medal. 
Chief Marzan retired from the United States Navy with 20 years of service on July 31, 1988. 
Thereafter, as a civilian, he worked as a maintenance worker at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton 
for 19 years. Florencio’s lifetime of service extends to his family and friends. He married his wife, 
Amparo, in 1972. He is a loving father of three, and a doting grandfather to eight.