By Chris Palacioz

Mexican American veterans, sons and daughters of Mexicans who migrated to the United States in the early days of the 20th century, like all other veterans -- Indian, white and black -- served well in the military and at home, receiving many citations for meritorious service in and for our country, the great United States of America, in several wars starting in or with World War I. Side by side, they fought and learned well from their counterparts of many races and nationalities that make up our beloved nation.

It is estimated that nearly 500,000 Mexican Americans from the United States served in World War II; that number doesn't include Korea and Vietnam. In World War I, eight Mexican Americans from East Chicago served in Europe including Sam Bravo, Joseph Flores, Loreto Gonzales, Peter Gomez, Guillermo Rivera, Victor Guerero, Leocadio Montemayor and Alfonso Vega, who won the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for gallantry in action. Many passed the physical exams but never served because they couldn't speak or understand English. Two men from Hutchinson, Abundio Morales and Eddie Leal, served in the first World War.

One female railroad worker, Fernanda Ramirez, was drafted because her first name sounded like a man's name. Had she been a man, her first name would end with an "o" ... Fernando. Eddie Graham of Hutchinson was captured by the Japanese and was a prisoner for three years. Joseph Belmar received five Oak Leaf medals. From Florence's Enriquez family, father Manuel and son Danny served in the Army. Charles Garcia flew 35 missions, received three Oak Leaf medals, four Bronze Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He had five sons serve in Vietnam; one died in action.

 

  Frank "Curly" Rodriguez spent 14 months in England and France in World War II. He was inducted with Trino Camargo, Salvador Monares, Vidtor Luna, Joe Morales and Crispin Barajas, all of Newton. Courtesy of Ray Olais

Santos "Smiling Sandy" Sanchez, born in Joliet, Ill., was raised by his grandmother. During the Depression of the 1930s he worked in the CCC camps. At age 18 he enlisted in the Army Air Force, serving as a gunman on a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. He was entitled to stop after flying 25 missions, but volunteered to fly until he had flown 44 missions, shooting down six Nazi fighter planes. His grandmother received a letter from him on March 13, 1945. Two days later his plane was lost over Germany. Four of the crew members bailed out and became prisoners of war. In October of 1945, Sanchez was officially declared dead. His body was never recovered.

Nearly every Mexican American family had at least one man in the service. There were many four, five and six star families with boys in the military. The Castro family from Oklahoma City sent five to the Marines. The Ramirez family from Emporia sent six sons at the same time. The Rangel family from Topeka included six brothers in World War II and Korea. John was killed in the Philippines while his brother Jose was killed six days later on the same island; neither knew they were on the same island. Robert Palacioz from Augusta joined the Marines, serving in Vietnam where he was the lone survivor of his platoon when a land mine killed the whole platoon except for him.

He later became a priest, serving five years at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Newton. He left the ministry and is now married and living in New Mexico, still suffering from his war injuries. There are many more experiences and stories about Mexican-American vets; not all can be recognized, but their efforts will never be forgotten.

 


  Daniel Gonzalez of Newton (left) served with the Army in World War II in Italy and guarded POWs after the war ended. Courtesy of Ray Olais

Closer to home there were also several multiple star families. From Wichita the Palacioz family had seven stars on their window. Seven sons served in World War II, including Andres, who served two hitches, Perfecto, Panli, Lalo, Euselio, Martin and Victor. All of the boys returned home safely; only two are alive today.

From Lost Springs in northern Marion County the Alvarez family sent seven boys to the military during World War II. The eighth son, John, was deferred because the board thought seven was enough. They were as follows: Raymond, 8th Air Force in England; Saymond "Mike", tank corps in New Guinea, Boreno and the Philippines; Joe, Calvary in Korea and Japan; Manuel, Air Force in Nevada; Frank, Navy aboard the carrier Valley Forge; Ralph, Navy chief retired on U.S.S. Constellation in South Pacific; Tony, Navy on U.S.S. Valley Forge. Brothers Frank and Tony were aboard the Valley Forge carrier where Tony died in action. Frank survived. In Newton, "Mike" retired from the Santa Fe Railroad as track supervisor. Frank retired as a foreman and also lives in Newton.

From Florence, population 800, 52 Mexican Americans served in the military and their names are listed on a plaque at the town historical museum. Frank Chacon, who was raised in Florence, left Florence as a youngster when his parents returned to Mexico. When World War II broke out, Frank returned to the U.S. and joined the Army where in Germany he was injured, received a full military pension and returned to Mexico to live with his family.

 

  Jos Llamas was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor while serving with the Army. He was killed in the Vietnam War in 1969.  Courtesy of Ray Olais

Really close to us, the Gonzalez family at 433 W. Third in Newton, had an eight star family of veterans. Eight Newton Mexican-American brothers served in various units of the military. There were sisters also, but they were too young to be in the service. Otherwise, they also would have gone to fight for the red, white and blue. They left when they were boys and they grew up fast. In no time at all they were men serving with and along side with Indian, white and black men. Together, these young men might have made a team unparallel to any war machine ever put together in the whole world.

Following are the brothers' names: Carmen Gonzalez, Army from 1942 to 1945, serving in Germany in the 78th Division; Jose Gonzalez, Army from 1943 to1945, serving in the Pacific Theater; Doroteo Gonzalez, Army from 1943 to 1946 serving in the Philippines; Daniel Gonzalez, Army from 1944 to 1946, serving in Italy; Antonio Gonzalez, Army from 1950 to 1952, serving in Germany; Raymond Gonzalez, Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953; Reynaldo Gonzalez, Army from 1953 to 1955, serving in Korea; and John Gonzalez, Marines from 1957 to 1960, serving in the Pacific Theater.

Immediately after being discharged the young men came home with hopes of a new life that they didn't have before they joined the service. They were no longer in limbo. This was the start of a desire for full citizenship and a drive to be a part of a new America, being involved in community affairs and proud to have fought for our country.

In 1946 they started an annual softball tourney to raise funds for the chapel on First Street. Later they started a loan company for Mexican Americans and a Latin American club that printed a newspaper for Spanish speaking people. Then a Good Fellows Club was started to provide toys and presents for children on Easter and Christmas.

Late in the 1950s, along came the American G.I. Forum to provide scholarships for Mexican Americans. All this was accomplished by veterans and their offspring and relatives, especially the veterans who to this day -- at age 70 to 80 -- still get thrills and chills when they see the red, white and blue. Our flag. Old Glory.

Chris Palacioz is from Newton and writes occasionally on Mexican American history.