Cobarrublo's family came to Philadelphia from Texas when he was 10. He joined the Neighborhood Youth Corps, the R.W. Brown Club and St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. He left Thomas Edison High School to enlist in the Army in November 1966. The private first class was assigned to Company B of the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry; tat Cavalry Division (Airmobile). During his three months in combat, the 19-year-old rifleman was involved in more than 25 aerial missions. Cobarrubio died on Aug. 17, 1967, never realizing his one dream to become a policeman when he returned from Vietnam. He was survived by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.