Lieutenant Colonel Mario D. Carazo was born on May 25, 1969 in Inglewood, California to parents Alvaro and Ana Carazo.  He was one of four children. In 1987 he graduated from Cerritos High School.  Lt. Col. Carazo continued on to the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1991 with a B.S. in History and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on the Marine Corps.  After graduating from the Basic School in February 1992, Lt. Col. Carazo attended flight training at Pensacola, Florida and received his Wings of Gold in February 1994.

Lt. Col. Carazo completed AH-1W pilot training at HMT-303 in November 1994 and received orders to HMLA-369, MCAS Camp Pendleton, California.  While with the Gunfighters, he served as the Human Affairs Officer, Schedule Writer, Flightline Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer during two Southern California Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), MEU(SOC), deployments.  In May 1998 he received orders to report to HMT-303 for duties as an instructor.  While with HMT-303 Lt. Col. Carazo served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Schedule Writer.  In July 1999 he was assigned to Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia as a student.

Upon graduation in June 2000, Lt. Col. Carazo was assigned to the MAG-39 staff as the S-1 and S-6 Officer.  In November 2000, he was reassigned back to HMLA-369.  He was promoted to Major in March 2001 and became the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer while preparing for his third deployment.  Once deployed to Okinawa, Lt. Col. Carazo became the Logistics Officer.  Upon return to the continental United States, Lt. Col. Carazo became the Aircraft Maintenance Officer.  In January 2003, Lt. Col. Carazo became the Gunfighter detachment Officer in Charge for the 13th MEU (SOC) and joined HMM-163 (REIN) for his fourth deployment where he served as the composite squadron Aircraft Maintenance Officer.  Sixteen months later the detachment rejoined HMLA-369 and Lt. Col. Carazo received orders to the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island as a student.

Upon graduation in June 2005, he received an M.A. in National Security and Strategy and was assigned to the School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico, Virginia as a student.  Graduating in June 2006, Lt. Col. Carazo received an M.A. in Operational Studies and was assigned to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW) staff.  During his time at 3d MAW, he served as the Current Operations Officer, deployed as an Individual Augment on the Multi-National Forces – Iraq staff as a Strategic Planner and as the Deputy G-3 Operations for 3D MAW (Forward) during Operation Iraqi Freedom 08.1-08.2.  While serving on the 3D MAW (Forward) staff, he was promoted to Lt. Col. in December 2007.  Upon his return from Iraq in August 2008, Lt. Col. Carazo was assigned to MAG-39, where he served as the Director of Safety and Standardization, Executive Officer of MAG-39, and Commanding Officer, Headquarters Squadron 39.  In January 2010, Lt. Col. Carazo reported to 3D MAW to serve as the Future Plans Officer for 3D MAW(Forward) for deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1-10.2. 

Lt. Col. Carazo’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star.  He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, their son, Mario, and daughter, Milla, his parents, Alvaro and Ana Carazo, his brother and sisters, Alvaro, Ana and Sandra, and their families.