Foreword

Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. is a non profit, charitable and educational, 501 (c) 3 organization which was incorporated in 1974 and is dedicated to insuring that Latino students achieve academic success. Our members include judges, attorneys, accountants, teachers, business owners, veterans and college students.

For the last seven years, our organization in association with California State University, Fullerton, has saluted our Mexican American veterans. We do not glorify war or promote militaristic solutions to our nation's international affairs, nor do we advocate that all Latino youth join our military forces. We are, however, justifiably proud of our veterans and of our patriotic heritage here in the United States. Moreover, due recognition of our Latino patriots has not been rendered in our children's school books, in documentary films, in feature films, on television or the print media.

For example, during the American Revolution, General Bernardo de Galvez of New Orleans led a 7,000 man army and navy against the British. His forces consisted of Spaniards, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and other Latinos. General Galvez captured the strategic British forts of Baton Rouge, Mobile and Pensacola, thus keeping the vital Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River from being controlled by England.

In the Civil War, more than 10,000 Latinos loyally served in both Union and Confederate forces. Our country's highest medal for valor, the Congressional Medal of Honor, was awarded to Philip Bazaar and John Ortega. Moreover, the first admiral of our Navy, Admiral David G. Farragut, who was commissioned by President Lincoln, was Latino.

During the Spanish-American War, Latinos proudly served under Lt. Col. Teddy Roosevelt. Captain Maximiliano Luna of New Mexico, helped Roosevelt organize and lead the famous "Rough Riders".

Thousands of Latino "doughboys" fought in World War I. David Barkley, a Mexican American from Laredo, Texas was awarded the Medal of Honor and Bert Acosta, a famous aviator from San Diego, California taught scores of Canadian and American pilots to fly.

We estimate that over 500,000 Latinos proudly served our country during World War II.  They fought in every major battle from Pearl Harbor to North Africa, from Bataan to Anzio, from Corregidor to Normandy, from Guadalcanal to Remagen, from Okinawa to the Battle of the Bulge. Research of World War II archival data by Rogelio Rodriguez of our group, shows that 12 Latinos were awarded the Medal of Honor, 149 the Distinguished Service Cross, 25 the Navy Cross, 2 the Legion of Merit, 2,062 the Silver Star, 1,170 the Bronze Star, 3,152 the Purple Heart, 31 Belgium Awards, 3 French Awards, 50 the Distinguished Flying Cross, 207 the Air Medal, 247 the Combat Infantry Badge, 8 the Combat Medic Badge and 17 the Soldiers Medal. According to partial statistics from the armed forces, 9,035 Latinos gave their lives in defense of our country, 869 were Missing in Action and 2,376 were Prisoners of War. We are continuing to conduct research to determine the total number of Latino casualties from the Army, Army Air Corps, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard during World War II.

During World War 11, Latinos were also noteworthy for being "first in and last out". The first American casualty at Pearl Harbor was Ensign Manuel Gonzalez, a Navy pilot from the USS Enterprise. In addition, RdM Pete Limon of the USS Swan survived that "day of infamy" at Pearl Harbor. Marine Cpl Alfonso Moreno valiantly fought with his unit in Guam but was captured on December 9, 1941 and was a Prisoner of War for 1,404 days until October 12, 1945. Similarly, Carlos R. Montoya in Bataan and William R. Sanchez in Corregidor held out with their troops for several months until they were captured and held as Prisoners of War for over three years. In June, 1944 Marine PFC Guy Gabaldon captured, single-handedly, over 1,000 Japanese soldiers during the Battle of Saipan. The 1960 feature film, "Hell to Eternity'", starring Jeffrey Hunter, depicted the heroic acts of Gabaldon, but the film never acknowledged the hero as being Mexican American.

During the Korean War, we estimate that over 100,000 Latinos served. Of the 36,574 casualties, 1,816 were Latinos. Significantly, 30% of the casualties from Orange County, California were Mexican Americans. At that time, Latinos comprised 5% of the county, therefore they were dying at six times their numbers. Of the 2,611 Californians who were killed in action, 518 were Mexican Americans, that is 20%, which was four times their numbers in our state. Of the 1,779 Texans who gave their lives, 371 were Mexican Americans, which was four times their numbers in Texas. Eight Latinos were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism. Air Force Col. Manuel Fernandez was one of the war's most decorated jet fighter pilot "aces" with 14.5 MIG "kills".

In the Vietnam War, 15 Latinos received the Medal of Honor, including Special Forces Sgt. Roy Benavidez who suffered more than 30 severe wounds by repeatedly returning through heavy enemy fire to assist and carry 8 wounded men into his helicopter. Ensign Everett Alvarez, Navy jet pilot, was shot down and held as a Prisoner of War for over 9 years. Of the 5,572 Californians who were killed in action, 823 were Latinos, that is, 15% at a time when Latinos represented 7% of the state. In Texas, 3,405 Texans died, 784 were Latinos which represented 23%, which was twice their population. In New Mexico, Latinos accounted for 44% of the deaths while they made up 27% of the citizens of that state.

During the Persian Gulf War, thousands of Latinos served and the first casualty from Orange County was Air Force Captain Arthur Galvan who was piloting an AC- 130 Spectre gunship which was shot down while attacking an Iraqi missile battery.

On July 8, 2004, President George W. Bush declared: "Some 85,000 Latinos have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 100 have given their lives. Over 400 have been injured in combat. Our nation will never forget their service and their sacrifice to our security and to our freedom."

As of October 29, 2004 1,112 Americans have been killed in action in Iraq. 141 of the casualties were Latinos, that is 13%. More significantly, of the 21 American women who made the ultimate sacrifice, 9 were Latinas which is 43%. Of the 11 Orange County men who have been killed in action in Iraq, 6 were Latinos, that is 55%. The First American killed from Orange County was Marine Cpl Jose Angel Garibay.

It is therefore fitting that we document and celebrate the patriotism of our Mexican American men and women.

In this book, we highlight our World War II veterans who defended our country even though they faced open discrimination on the home front such as segregated public schools. They unhesitatingly answered the call of duty and valiantly fought against tyranny and oppression abroad. We honor the service of 219 men and women, showing the breadth of sacrifice and heroism of the 6 Banuelos brothers, to the 6 Garcia brothers, to the 6 Villareal brothers, to B-17 bomber pilot Lt. Col. Henry Cervantes, to USS Indianapolis survivor Salvador Maldonado, to Air Force Major Maria Dolores Hernandez, to "Rosie Riveters" and to all our brave veterans.

We salute each veteran and their family and thank them for their devotion to our flag and our country.

Frederick P. Aguirre and Linda Martinez Aguirre

November 6, 2004