VOCES Oral History Project Narratives The University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 WWII Latinos in the Spotlight Video Shorts Reveal Riches of Project By Frank Trejo Combine the powerful experiences of Latino veterans First place in the 2011 inaugural contest was Vincent with the visual impact of video, and you’ve got an Desgrippes, whose video featured Julian Gonzalez, a exciting new way to tell the stories of VOCES Oral World War II veteran who still prays for those who died History Project. around him at Normandy. The project’s newest venture Share “This story had a gentleness Their Voices, a video-editing contest you usually don’t see in war story in which University of Texas at memories,” De Los Santos said. Austin students produce five-minute Hartzog added “I didn’t want it to documentaries that bring to life the end.” project’s archival interviews. Second place went to Chithra “These short documentary Jeyaram, her film on John Valls; treatments of these interviews third place was Stephanie Meza, reach an audience and reach people for her documentary on the five in a real, visceral, emotional way Gil brothers. that we can’t reach in any other Photo by Michelle Lojewski The 2012 first place winner was way,” said Project Director Maggie 2012 Video Editing Contest judges look on, Rosa Pruneda, for her film on watching the winning documentary. Rivas-Rodriguez. Carmen Contreras Bozak; second Contest judges have included director and filmmaker place was Jordan Kerfeld, for his documentary on Jesus Treviño of Los Angeles; writer and producer Leonard Fuentes; and third place was Sonia Melendez, Nancy De Los Santos of Los Angeles; and producer for her story on Enrique Cervantes. (More information Roland Hartzog of Houston. on p. 3) A Note from the Project Director When the U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project became the Inside VOCES Oral History Project last year — to accommodate our expanded this issue focus to the Korean and Vietnam war periods — it required more than new letterhead. In fact, we were so caught up in the transition that we simply didn’t have time to produce a newsletter in 2011. This publication is Volunteer Spotlight... 2 intended to catch you up with our expansion. Photos from the Our first step was to understand the differences between the three war Video Contest...... 3

Photo by Marc Hamel periods. We did our background research (homework, as we call it in Dr. Maggie Rivas- journalism), before conducting group interviews with men and women WWII Stories...... 4-12 Rodriguez of the Korean and Vietnam war periods. Then we revised our interview Korea Stories...... 13-14 protocols so that we could elicit information that would reflect the interviewees’ times. Vietnam Stories...... 15-18 Many months later, we are pleased to report that we have made the transition and now have a Project good body of Korean and Vietnam war-era interviews. We were a little bit ahead of the curve, as Testimonials..... 12, 14, 19 we had several WWII veterans who had served in all three wars (!!!), and several more who served in both WWII and Korea. High School In the pages that follow, you’ll learn about men and women who have served our country in Interns...... 19 military service and in civilian life. We hope you enjoy.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 1 Volunteer Spotlight

Joseph Padilla: Denver Police Officer

entered close to 100 and will continue in the program. The fact that they to add the name of any WWII vet I were involved in the war is significant learn of. enough. Those that served on the home front or in other theaters should also Q: How did you first hear about the be recognized for their contributions. Project? Q: Why do you think it’s important JP: I learned of the program from a for people to be involved in projects member of the Denver Police Latino like this one? Officers Association. I received a copy of the VOCES Oral History Project JP: It’s important to recognize that flier and immediately contacted the there is a need. We all have busy lives. project. As stated above, I have always I have a great wife, three children, had an interest in WWII, and after I and four grandchildren, and I am learned of the project I contacted the able to devote time to the Project Latino vets I knew. Once I found out while spending time with family and that the Project didn’t have funding to manage a busy career. I’ve read several visit Denver, I decided to conduct the books on WWII and consider it an Question: Tell us a little bit about interviews myself. honor to sit and interview people who your participation in the U.S. Latino actually lived through the incidents & Latina World War II Oral History Q: What made you decide to I’ve read about. I think the Project is Project. volunteer with the Project? an excellent endeavor that gives us the opportunity to contribute to a very Joseph Padilla: JP: Well, after I informed the vets of worthwhile cause, and documenting First of all I’d like to thank Dr. Maggie the project, they seemed excited to it from the Latino perspective adds Rivas-Rodriguez for allowing me the share. The fact that the history project additional meaning. opportunity to participate in such a couldn’t travel to Denver shouldn’t wonderful program. I am a captain keep these veterans from telling their Q: Anything else you would like with the Denver Police Department, stories. The contribution they’ve to add? and my family background is from made for our country is significant. New Mexico. At this time I’ve Unfortunately, they are getting older JP: Every interview I’ve conducted has completed 11 interviews of WWII and having the ability to speak about been emotional for the vets. It is also veterans for the Project, with more their lives is important. Many have a family event. Many times they have planned in the future. My family’s never shared their stories. Of the vets their children or grandchildren present, WWII history includes losing a great- I’ve interviewed, one served with the and the family members always tell uncle at New Guinea in the South 82nd Airborne and made combat me they learned many things about Pacific. I had another great-uncle jumps in Sicily, Salerno, D-Day and their father’s or grandfather’s life they who fought with the 45th Infantry Holland. He received three Purple had never heard before. It’s a sense of from North Africa to Germany; he Hearts and still lives in pain. Another accomplishment when the interviews died shortly after the war. Neither of was a combat medic who was part of are finished, to know their service and these men left a family, and I always the 99th Infantry and survived the sacrifices are documented. I am also wish their service could have been Battle of the Bulge only to lose his planning on expanding to Korean recognized. Before discovering the U.S. leg at the Siegfried Line a couple of and Vietnam Latino vets. Prior to Latino & Latina World War II Oral months later. The third was a Marine concluding the interview, I ask the vets History Project. I obtained an access at Saipan. The last vet I interviewed to leave words they would like their code for the National World War II survived combat and wounds from the descendants to know. The ability to Memorial in Washington, D.C. I have European Theater to later become the pass information to the grandchildren been contacting many WWII vets or chief justice of the Colorado Supreme they may never meet is a benefit they their survivors to enter the vets’ names Court. I don’t believe that a veteran appreciate. in the national memorial. So far I have has to be a combat vet to participate

Page 2 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Video Contest 2011 and 2012 Photo by Michelle Lojewski Voces Oral History Project The second annual Share Their Voices Video Editing Contest The second annual Share Their Voices Video Editing Contest Screening and Critique in CMB Studio 6A on April 27, 2012. l-r, Screening and Critique event moderator Jim Estrada. top row: Jim Estrada, Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Nancy de los Santos, Jesús Treviño and Roland Hartzog. Bottom row, contest participants and winners. Photo by Michelle Lojewski The inaugural Share Their Voices Video Editing Contest Screening and Critique in CMB Studio 6A on April 15, 2011. l-r: Jesús Treviño, Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Nancy de los Santos, Vincent Desgrippes, Stephanie Meza, Elizabeth Blancas, Chithra Jeyaram, Roland Hartzog and Hector Galán.

The inaugural Share Their Voices Video Editing Contest Screening and Critique event moderator Hector Galán pointing out the new logo, 2011.

Photo by Michelle Lojewski Learn more about the contest: ShareTheirVoices.org Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez announces the prizes for the 2012 event, Watch past videos: YouTube.com/vocesvideocontest including a fully loaded MacBook Pro laptop computer for first prize.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 3 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Anthony Acevedo Manuel Calderon Robert Cardenas Interviewed by Eliud Martinez Interviewed by Cheryl Smith Kemp Interviewed by Marc Hamel

Anthony Acevedo wasn’t just Manuel Calderon was born in In 1939, National Guard Pvt. enduring temperatures of 50 degrees Sherman, N.M. His parents were Robert Cardenas was ordered to the below zero, several feet of snow, farmers, and Calderon and his Philippines. He was about to secure and a warm weather uniform that four siblings would help them with a scholarship to the California was useless against the cold. He was planting, plowing and other tasks Institute of Technology after a few also one of 40 members of the 275th after school and on weekends. years in a smaller college but, as he Infantry Regiment, an American “We worked hard,” he said. . . . recalled, “military orders must be unit captured by Nazi forces in early “Many a time we didn’t have much followed.” 1945. to eat.” It worked out well for him because They were taken to Stalag 9B, a Calderon went to school through an officer helped him become an prison camp in Bad Orb, Germany. the sixth grade. After his mother Aviation School cadet. After torturing him, the Germans died when he was 11, he stopped Cardenas had no idea how those moved Sanchez, 350 Jewish soldiers, going to school. Calderon’s father first few steps would lead to a and other “undesirables” to a slave lived until 1985. 34-year Air Force career through labor camp in Berga. Calderon was drafted into the World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, The survivors were forced on U.S. Army in October 1941, going and eventually earn him the a 217-mile death march south through basic training at Fort Bliss Distinguished Flying Cross and a from Berga to a camp near Rötz. in El Paso, Texas and serving a total general’s star. Only 165 survived the march and of four years. “There’s no such thing as free eventually were liberated. He was assigned to an artillery lunches or luck, but there are Acevedo was born on July 31, unit. He said he saw a considerable [opportunities], and they’ll come at 1924, in San Bernardino, Calif. amount of combat. The loss of his you a million times,” Cardenas said. He remembered facing racism friends still haunts him. “Many of During World War II, Cardenas throughout his childhood: “We them killed, all around us,” he said. directed development of invasion could not mix with Americans until Calderon was discharged from the gliders in Ohio. In 1944, as part of we went to junior high.” In 1937, his Army in October 1945 at the rank the 506th Bombardment Squadron, parents were deported to Mexico, of private first class. His decorations he flew his first mission on the B-24 and Acevedo and his four siblings include the Asian-Pacific Theater Liberator. During the Korean War, went with them. and European-African-Middle Cardenas commanded the Air Force In 1943, he joined the Army and Eastern Theater medals, as well as a Special Operations Force. During trained as a medic. In France, he Good Conduct Medal. the Vietnam War, he flew F-105s was assigned to the Company B, After he returned to the United over North Vietnam. 275th Infantry Regiment. States, he was a nursing assistant at Cardenas retired from the Air By July 1945, Acevedo was an El Paso veterans’ hospital, until Force in 1973. He also earned a discharged. He married Maria it closed in 1964. He had worked degree from the University of New Dolores Espinoza. His decorations in Dallas nursing homes before Mexico. He and Gladys Gisewite include two Purple Hearts and two returning to El Paso. Cardenas married and had seven Bronze Stars. Interviewed on May 9, 2008, in children. Interviewed on May 11, 2009, in El Paso, Texas. Interviewed on July 14, 2008, in Yucaipa, Calif. San Diego, Calif.

Page 4 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Meregildo Carrillo Odilon De Leon Ricardo Garcia Interviewed by Lawrence J. Polon Interviewed by Raquel C. Garza Interviewed by Cheryl Smith Kemp

Despite the racial prejudice he Odilon De Leon suffered serious “It was the worst thing to happen.” faced, Meregildo Carrillo never burns on May 3, 1945, when a That's how Ricardo Garcia regretted his World War II service Japanese plane dove into the port described his time in the 5th Marine with the U.S. Army's 79th Infantry side of his ship, the USS LSMR- Division in Okinawa, which included Division. 195, approximately 100 miles from 10 days of night-time fighting on the He was born in San Angelo, Texas, Okinawa. front lines. on April 13, 1924, and for years he The ship carried more than 460 It was on his 10th night, May 16, was shuttled back and forth between rockets, which were ignited by 1945, that Japanese bombs found families in different Texas cities. the plane’s gasoline, creating a their mark. He was hit. When his father tried to enroll him “hellacious explosion,” he said. Garcia’s unit thought he was dead in school, other families objected to The ship's mission was to sail to until they noticed his hand move. their children sharing a bus with a the Philippines for supplies and then He said it still feels like it happened Latino. After two days, he was taken return to the United States. And as yesterday. out of school. the battle for the Japanese island Garcia, born and raised in El Paso, He had held odd jobs before joining raged around them, De Leon at first Texas, was one of Pablo and Maria the military. He said the Army taught thought his ship was going to make Garcia’s eight children. him how to read and write in six it through. Garcia was drafted into the U.S. weeks, and he began basic training But then the kamikaze struck. De Marine Corps in 1943. For boot at Camp Wheeler in Georgia. He Leon remembered that the impact camp, Garcia was sent to San Diego, encountered restaurants that refused was so intense that it blew his shoes where his English improved, and he to serve him and soldiers that called off. came face-to-face with racism. him “a Mex.” The captain ordered the crew to He then went to Pearl Harbor, He fought in Normandy on D-Day, abandon ship. De Leon and other where he learned to use anti-aircraft and in Le Mans, and Haguenau, all survivors huddled in a circle, and he guns and later took part in the in France. He was discharged on used a flashlight to signal to a rescue Iwo Jima invasion, where Japanese Nov. 22, 1945, as a staff sergeant. ship. counterattacks were relentless. “They Carrillo enjoyed the Army and De Leon had enlisted in San didn’t get me,” he said. “I guess I immediately re-enlisted. He was Antonio less than a year earlier, in was lucky.” But in Okinawa he was discharged again on May 21, 1947, as September 1944. wounded in the eye and had to use an a platoon sergeant. His decorations He was born in Van Ormy, Texas, eye patch. and honors include two Silver Stars, where his parents, who worked as Almost three years and two Purple one Bronze Star, a French Croix de sharecroppers, lived after his father’s Hearts later, Garcia was honorably Guerre and a thank-you note from service in World War I. discharged on Oct. 10, 1945. President Harry Truman. After WWII, he had trouble After the war, he married and had Carrillo married Josephine Juarez, adjusting to civilian life, and he four children with his wife, Jessie. an old friend. He said he led a never married. “[T]he war will never He worked as an upholsterer and good life. end for me,” he said. mechanic. Interviewed on July 15, 2009, in Interviewed on June 8, 2009, in Interviewed in El Paso, Texas, on Albany, Calif. Austin, Texas. May 9, 2008.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 5 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Rodolfo Hernandez Antonio Jasso Tony Lopez Interviewed by Peter C. Haney Interviewed by John Jasso Interviewed by Henry Velez

Although Rodolfo Hernandez Antonio Jasso never wanted to be Anthony D. Lopez fought World never saw battle, World War II considered a war hero. War II with the 503rd Parachute was an exciting time for him. He “I didn’t see no war … I was, Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne performed with his family as a thanks to God, a cook in the Navy. I Division. singer nicknamed Charro Azul, for had it made in the Navy,” Jasso said. He saw action at New Guinea and the blue suit he wore on stage. The native of El Paso, Texas, was the Philippines, including Leyte, Hernandez was born in San born on April 7, 1928. He was one Mindoro, Corregidor, where he was Antonio on June 21, 1929. His of 10 children. Jasso dropped out wounded, and Negros. The tropical father, Francisco Hernandez, was of the 6th grade to help support his heat was nothing like his boyhood a trampoline artist, dancer, and family. home in Denver. clown. His grandfather, Marcos Jasso said that one of the reasons He graduated from high school in Hernandez, was a circus ringmaster he wanted to enlist in the Navy was 1943. He was sent to basic training in Mexico, and his grandmother because he believed girls liked a man at Fort Roberts in California, and he was a contralto singer. Hernandez in uniform. later volunteered for the parachute and his six siblings were all trained He spoke highly of his ship, the infantry. to dance, sing, and act by the age of USS Princeton, and said that it had By September 1943, he was in nine. everything but a swimming pool. It Australia with his unit, Co. F, 2nd But they also did their part to help was his longest assignment. He also Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry during WWII. His father was an air- served on the USS Mindanao and Regiment. raid warden, and he taught first aid USS Gates. In July 1944, the 503rd went to his son. His mother cooked for During his tour, he visited China, to New Guinea. They landed on warden meetings. The kids collected Guam, Panama, Japan, and Hawaii. Noemfoor Island. As he and his aluminum. They also contributed When Jasso was in Shanghai, platoon crawled through coral caves, as entertainers. Hernandez and his he remembered, the sailors were Lopez never forgot the crunching father traveled throughout Texas to instructed to go out in groups sound as he stepped on it. entertain military audiences, usually because it was a dangerous city to On Corregidor, Lopez was shot in starting every performance with tour alone. One man did not follow the abdomen. But he recovered, and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” this rule. He went out alone and was two weeks later he was back in the In 1948, Hernandez entered the found dead the next day. fight. Army. He was assigned to the 4th Jasso served from September 1945 Once the war ended, he was back Infantry Regiment in Alaska and to April 1949 and was discharged as in the United States by Dec. 22, was trained as a ski trooper. a seaman first class. 1945. His decorations include the After he left the Army, Hernandez Jasso believed that he lived an Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and married Merehilda Hernandez. He ordinary life, and his stories of the the Good Conduct Medal. also began a 36-year career with the time in the war are not “heroic.” After the war, he married Mary federal government, retiring in 1985 When his wife died in March 2011, Louise Jimenez, and they had three from a quality-control position with Jasso moved to a smaller home, children. He eventually opened his the Air Force. where he grew chilies and tomatoes own auto transmissions shop and Interviewed on Oct. 6, 2009, in in his garden. worked there until he retired. San Antonio. Interviewed on June 16, 2010, in Interviewed on Aug. 9, 2010, in Topeka, Kansas. Denver.

Page 6 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Rafael Medrano Concepción Morón Berta Parra Interviewed by Rafael A. Medrano Interviewed by David Silva Interviewed by Cheryl Smith Kemp

Rafael Cantu Medrano left his Morón was the youngest of four Berta Parra served in the Navy hometown on Fannin, Texas, to join children born to José Morón, a during World War II as a nurse’s the military in 1940. farmer and sharecropper, and Petra assistant stationed in Corpus He landed on the Normandy García Morón. Christi, Texas. beaches on June 10, 1944. He was Concepción García Morón vividly She endured the stresses of her job, part of the 83rd Division, which remembered a certain day, about two fear for her brother fighting in the fought in France and Germany, and years after his mother died. It was Army, and the daily barrage of war all he remembered from combat was Dec. 7, 1941. It was Sunday, and his news. “that it was hell.” family had just returned from church. She was born in El Paso, Texas, He said that he spent most of his The kids were shooting marbles one of four children to a homemaker days in Europe either in foxholes or and listening to the radio. “All of a mother and a film projectionist on the move. “It would rain, snow, sudden — Pow! ‘We interrupt this father. Her family struggled to and all that crap,” Medrano said. program’ — it was in English — and survive during the Great Depression, Medrano didn’t remember much [the broadcaster] announced that the and discrimination was a fact of life. about the day he was shot in the Japanese just attacked Pearl Harbor.” She planned on becoming a left arm. “The only thing I felt was He spent the next few years helping beautician but then decided to something warm running down the war effort by collecting tin cans become a nurse’s assistant. my arm, and I looked and saw my and aluminum foil. He was inducted When war broke out, she enlisted hands filled with blood.” into the Army in 1944, completed in the Navy and was assigned to the Medrano was born on May basic training at Fort Hood, and was Women’s Auxiliary Corps in Corpus 23, 1920. His home life revolved assigned to Company L of the 304th Christi. around the economic struggles his Infantry Regiment. He took part in There, she saw death for the first family faced after his father left the the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central time as she tended to elderly World family. Medrano’s mother worked European campaigns. War I veterans. odd jobs to make ends meet. His decorations include the World Female service in the military was He was discharged on July 3, War II Victory Ribbon, Good at one of its earliest points during 1945, as a private first class. His Conduct Medal, European-African- WWII, and Latinas were largely decorations include the Purple Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon underrepresented. Heart and the Bronze Star. and three Bronze Service Stars, and a “The men were OK with me being After the war, he worked for the Bronze Star. a woman,” Parra said. Texas Highway Department and Morón was honorably discharged When Parra was discharged on earned a GED. March 18, 1946, as a private first disability, she left Corpus Christi He married Sonia Vidaurri in class. He returned to Beeville and and headed back to El Paso, but the 1946, and they had five children. worked as a farm laborer. vestiges of war stayed with her. She died in 1970. In 1949, Morón married Margarita After the war, she continued her He later married Francisca Weisheimer Cano, and they had career as a nurse’s assistant and “Mary” Trevino. seven children. never married. Interviewed on July 20, 2010, in Interviewed on Jan. 10, 2009, in Interviewed on May 9, 2008, in Goliad, Texas. Beeville, Texas. El Paso, Texas.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 7 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Albino Pineda Ramiro Ramos Mary Rangel Interviewed by Laura Barberena Interviewed by Raquel C. Garza Interviewed by Valerie A. Martinez

After several failed attempts Ramiro Ramos, born on Sept. Mary Patricia Torrez Rangel knew to teach his peers the correct 12, 1924, was one of seven children there were places in Topeka, Kan., pronunciation of his name during born to Rita and Esteban Ramos. where Latinos were not allowed basic training, Albino R. Pineda Growing up on the Texas-Mexico to go — swimming pools, movie settled for being called “Pineeda.” It border, Ramos and his siblings theaters, and restaurants. She simply wasn’t ideal, but he thought it was often helped their father, a laborer, refused to obey the restrictions. better than “Pinda.” and he said the hard work fortified Rangel was one of eight children Years later, however, Pineda him for what lay ahead. born to Marcario Torrez and looked back fondly on his days in By 28, Ramos was in the U.S. Guadalupe Thomasa Gutierrez de the Army’s 261st Field Artillery Army, trained as a medic, and Torrez, both from Guanajuato, Battalion. prepared to participate in the Mexico. Pineda was born on Dec. 22, Allied Invasion of Normandy in Rangel remembered how her 1923, and grew up taking care of June 1944. He was part of the 2nd mother shielded her children from himself. His father, Emilio, died Medical Battalion, 23rd Infantry discrimination by limiting what they in 1931. As the Great Depression Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. could do and where they could go deepened and pressure grew on On June 6, Ramos struggled in town. Her earliest recollection people of Mexican descent to leave to help fatally wounded soldiers of prejudice against her family was the United States, Dolores Pineda strewn across the beach. “You when her brothers wanted to go and her seven children moved to have to help them until their last swimming. They were not allowed Nogales, Mexico. breath,” Ramos remembered. into the pools around town so they In 1943, Pineda moved back to Ramos later saw action in the would just swim in a creek near the United States and joined the Ardennes and the Rhineland. After their house. Army to earn a steady wage and the war, he returned to the United She anxiously followed the news teach himself English. States, and he was discharged on from the Korean War because her Pineda served in France and Oct. 8, 1945 as a private first class. boyfriend, Felipe “Pipes” Rangel, Germany. In November 1945, His decorations include the Bronze had been drafted into the Marines Pineda was discharged as a private Star. and was fighting there. When he first class. After the war, Ramos married was wounded and returned home, He moved to California, where Edna Salazar, and they had three he asked Rangel to marry him. She he worked as a trench digger for the children. He worked at the U.S. agreed, and they married on Oct. Bachtel Pipeline Co. in Santa Paula, Atomic Energy Commission and 23, 1954. They had five children. a longshoreman and a driller. the U.S. Boundary Commission. Rangel said her husband struggled He married Naomi Solace, and Despite his post-traumatic stress with his combat memories. She they had three children. disorder, he remained optimistic. remembered many of his “episodes” In 2006, after Pineda retired, he “You pass through dark moments that would last up to 20 minutes at wrote “Among the Repatriated” to … and very illuminating moments,” night. To comfort him, she would share his experiences as a Mexican he said, “and that’s what makes hold his hand or stroke his arm until American. It was published in 2008. life.” he calmed down. Interviewed on July 13, 2010, in Interviewed on May 3, 2008, in Interviewed on June 16, 2010, in San Antonio. San Antonio. Topeka, Kan.

Page 8 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Roque Riojas José S. Sanchez Martin Sanchez Interviewed by Valerie A. Martinez Interviewed by Adolfo Dominguez Interviewed by Alcario Alvarado

Roque Riojas fought during World Raised in a Spanish-speaking home Martin Sanchez was born War II with the 135th Regiment, in Sinton, Texas, José Sanchez quit on Aug. 10, 1920, in Beeville, 34th Infantry Division, seeing school after the sixth grade in order Texas. He attended school before combat in Africa and Italy. to help his father, Santiago Sanchez. becoming a laborer during the Riojas was drafted into the U.S. As a migrant tomato picker, Sanchez Great Depression. He later joined Army in November 1942. After was able to learn English from his the Civilian Conservation Corps, a basic training he learned to operate father and white farmers. His English public-works relief program, and radio equipment. He would often became so good that throughout his then enlisted in the Army in 1940. have to run through combat zones to mid-teens Sanchez translated English He was assigned to the 12th Field string telephone wire. work orders to Spanish-speaking Artillery. Riojas said discrimination may workers. When the United States entered have been a factor in why he never On Nov. 29, 1943, Sanchez turned World War II, he was sent to Fort gained rank above private first class, 18 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Bragg in North Carolina to manage even being passed over to replace his At basic training at Fort Sam wire communications. On July fallen sergeant. Houston, Sanchez was warned that 7, 1945, he and the 101st Anti- Riojas was honorably discharged Spanish speakers would have to run Aircraft Artillery Battalion fought in October 1945. His decorations laps while wearing their backpack. in the Philippines and helped defeat include the Purple Heart, the Bronze After basic training, Sanchez lost occupying Japanese forces. Sanchez Star, and the Combat Infantryman any opportunity to speak Spanish. was discharged on Jan. 7, 1946, as Badge. He never met any other Latinos in a private. Returning home to Kansas City, the Army. He attended barber school on the Kan., Riojas remembered his Sanchez was assigned to the G.I. Bill and later opened a barber homecoming consisted of one man 871st Field Artillery Battalion. On shop. He married Petrissa Alaniz welcoming him back. “The next Jan. 1, 1945, the unit departed and had three children. person I saw was my dad at the London for western France, between But the nation he fought for house, and the only thing he said two German submarine bases. showed him a darker side. At was, ‘Your mother’s inside.’ That "Sometimes you got scared," he an Oklahoma bar, a waiter was my welcoming.” admitted. But Sanchez developed wouldn’t serve him until Sanchez Riojas used the G.I. Bill to pay bravery from his friendships. could confirm he wasn’t Native for trade school to learn radio After the war, Sanchez was sent to American. and appliance repair. He married, an Army depot in Austria, and later In Texas, Sanchez couldn’t enter started a family, and eventually he guarded German prisoners. a store because he was Latino, even worked with the Santa Fe Railroad He was discharged on May 22, if in uniform. for 19 years. 1946, as a private first class. His “There was a lot of In 2004, Riojas was invited as decorations included the Bronze Star. discrimination,” said Sanchez. But a guest of then-President George He returned to Beeville, Texas, nowadays, he worries for younger W. Bush to attend the dedication married Ernestina Zambrano, and Latinos, who he believes are losing of the World War II Memorial in started a plumbing business. their culture and language. Washington D.C. Interviewed on Jan. 10, 2009, in Interviewed on Jan. 10, 2009, in Interviewed on June 17, 2010, in Beeville, Texas. Beeville, Texas. Kansas City, Kan.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 9 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Ben Santillan Jesus Soto John Valls Interviewed by Mary Gonzales Interviewed by Nancy De Los Santos Interviewed by Liliana Rodriguez

Ben Santillan was born on Feb. 13, World War II provided many Dec. 8, 1941, forever changed 1925, near Kansas City, Kan. When frightening memories for Jesus “Joe” John Valls. he was about 7 years old, his family Soto, but it also gave him a sense of The Laredo, Texas, native moved to Argentine, a segregated pride for his achievements as a U.S. was 16 when he heard President suburb. Marine. Franklin D. Roosevelt ask the U.S. Latinos were not allowed on Soto was 20 years old in 1940 when Congress for a declaration of war school buses, so Santillan and his he enlisted in the Marine Corps and against Japan. He marched straight siblings had to walk four miles to was assigned to the USS New Orleans. to the Army recruiting post. They school. One of his most frightening said he was too young to sign After ninth grade he dropped out recollections was the day the up, but two years later Valls was to help his family and worked at an Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. “I drafted and assigned to the 52nd ice plant. was shining my shoes that morning Armored Infantry Battalion. On Dec. 7, 1941, Santillan was before breakfast, and the loudspeakers But war wasn’t what he thought at a pool hall with his friends. sounded,” Soto said. Five minutes it would be. The first time he Someone asked him if he had heard later, Japanese aircraft zoomed faced a German soldier, “I froze. about the Japanese attack on Pearl overhead. I couldn’t kill him.” The German Harbor. Soto fought in several other Pacific surrendered, and Valls later told Santillan remembered asking, battles, including the 1942 Battle of his sergeant that he couldn’t bring “What is Pearl Harbor?” Tassafaronga, where a torpedo struck himself to shoot. “All he told me He was on active duty in the Navy his ship, killing 135 men. He suffered was, ‘Don’t worry, son, next time about a year later. He was made a a head injury. you won’t …’ ” Valls said. “And gunner’s mate and assigned to the Soto was born in El Paso, Texas. he was right. From then on, it was USS Thorn, which helped to protect He was an only child, and he grew hell.” the resupply convoys crossing the up with his Spanish-speaking The memories haunted him. Atlantic Ocean. He later served on grandmother, mother, and stepfather. Valls dug holes to sleep in, and he the USS Sarasota in the Pacific and When Soto was 7, his family moved to survived on a few packets of food saw action off the coast of New Los Angeles to look for work. every day. He robbed German Guinea. One day, Soto walked past a soldiers of their knives and Santillan was discharged on Jan. Marines recruiting station. He loved watches. “I knew it was wrong, 16, 1946, as a gunner’s mate third the uniform, so he signed up. and I’m ashamed. ....” class. His decorations include the He was discharged from the Marine Valls was discharged on Feb. Philippine Liberation Medal and the Corps as a sergeant in 1946 and 26, 1946, at Fort Dix, N.J., as a Good Conduct Medal. attended Woodbury University in private first class. That November, When he returned home, he took Burbank, Calif., for two and a half he married Gladys Valls, and they college courses in typing, math and years. had five children. In 1950, Valls English. Soto had married Otilla Macias in graduated from Baylor University In 1947, he married Rachel, and 1943, and after the war he worked at with a business degree. they had four children. an advertising agency. Interviewed on March 6, 2010, Interviewed on June 17, 2010, in Interviewed on June 8, 2009, in in Laredo, Texas. Kansas City, Kan. Alhambra, Calif.

Page 10 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Interviews from the Project: WWII

Roland Vela Joe Villa Ramón Villa Sr. Interviewed by Raquel C. Garza Interviewed by Amanda Abrigo Interviewed by Amanda Abrigo

G. Roland Vela was delivering Joe Villa was born in Having grown up in rural South Texas newspapers on Dec. 7, 1941, when Yorktown, Texas. His mother during the Great Depression and having the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. died when he was a baby, and his lost his mother when he was only 10, He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in father did his best to care for him Ramón Villa Sr. knew hardship. June 1945 and was stationed at and his three other children. But he was unprepared for the the U.S. Naval Ammunition and Villa was drafted into the struggles he faced in World War II as Submarine Net Depot in Seal Beach, Army on Dec. 6, 1945, a few part of the U.S. Army’s 200th Coast Calif., where he served on the USS months after the end of World Artillery Regiment, being captured by Makinsaw, a tug boat. Seaman 1st War II. He was assigned to the Japanese and forced on the Bataan Class Vela was discharged in July Company B of the 397th Military Death March. Villa endured more than 1946. He was 18. Police Battalion and worked three years as a prisoner of war. Vela was born in 1927, in Eagle as a railroad security guard, Born on Jan. 9, 1920, in Donna, Pass, Texas. His parents, Marcial protecting supplies and food Texas, Villa joined the Army in Vela Bermea and María de for the soldiers and the poor in April 1941. After training, Villa was Guadalupe Múzquiz de la Garza Nuremburg, Germany. assigned to Clark Army Air Field in the Vela, taught him and his brother, Villa says he was one of the few Philippines. That base was attacked by Cesar, to value what they had and to Latinos in his division, and he Japanese forces on Dec. 8, 1941. After work for what they didn’t have. says he never felt discriminated several weeks, American and Filipino They lived in San Antonio, where against. troops were forced to retreat to the his father worked as a clerk and his After a year in the military, Bataan Peninsula, where they held on mother was a homemaker. soldiers were allowed a three-day for three months. Vela remembered that in weekend. Villa and his friend “We had no more rations, and the elementary school students had to chose the “Eagle’s Nest,” Adolf equipment we had was going bad. The speak only English. “If you spoke Hitler’s mountaintop hideaway. artillery jammed. We were waiting for Spanish, you would be punished,” As Villa and his friend explored reinforcements,” he said. he said. the home, they got lost, and they The troops surrendered in April 1942 After his honorable discharge, didn’t make it back to the truck and were forced to march from Bataan Vela returned to San Antonio. By that was to take them back. Villa to Camp O’Donnell. Thousands died 1963, he earned a doctorate in and his friend hitchhiked their from brutal treatment, hunger and microbiology and biochemistry way back home. disease. Villa was a prisoner of war in and married Emma Lamar Codina In February 1947, Villa was Japan when the war ended more than Longoria. They had four children. discharged from the Army as a three years later; he had lost about 70 He later became a professor of private first class. He returned pounds. microbiology at the University of to his home in Yorktown, Texas, He was honorably discharged at the North Texas in Denton and served and returned to school. He also rank of corporal on Feb. 23, 1946, and on the Denton City Council. He married Jamie Rodriguez, and returned to Texas. His advice to young also wrote historical biographies of they had four children. people: “I would say, don’t give up.” Latino leaders. Interviewed on July 24, 2010, Interviewed on July 20, 2010, in Interviewed on Sept. 15, 2007, in in Yoakum, Texas. Hallettsville, Texas. Austin, Texas.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 11 Project Testimonial Interviews from the Project: WWII

Angel Zavala William Zermeno Manuel Avilés-Santiago, M.A. Interviewed by Daniel Reyes Interviewed Elizabeth Blancas Upon completion a Ph.D., Manu has accepted a position of Assistant Professor, Communication & Technology, School of Letters & Sciences, Angel Zavala was drafted on A sense of duty inspired William Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus Jan. 20, 1943, and went to Keesler Zermeno to leave his beloved Army Airfield in Biloxi, Miss., for family and his hometown of My entrance in the program was very basic training in South Dakota. Houston. The Zermeno family peculiar. I received a rejection letter In 1944, Zavala reported to the shared a very close bond, but he from a famous journal accompanied European Theater of Operations. felt military service was expected with a job offer from the special editor As part of the Army Air Corps, of him because his cousins and of the Journal, Dr. Maggie Rivas- he was assigned to the 845th his brothers had served in World Rodriguez.* After that I had one of the Bombardment Squadron of the War II. “I never gave it a second most incredible experiences a graduate 489th Bomb Group and served as thought,” he recalled. student, research assistant, and future a radio operator. He learned to use “My parents didn’t think too scholar could've had. Morse code and cryptography. much about it since the war was Being part of the VOCES Oral History Zavala’s squadron helped bomb already over,” Zermeno said. “I Project allowed me to understand the Normandy before the D-Day [was] not going to get killed.” importance of intervening in history invasion, and he was granted Zermeno was born on Dec. 2, and channeling the voices of those 30-day leave after the successful 1927. His father always worked who have been ignored by hegemonic operation. While in the United at a railroad, even throughout the (mainstream) narratives of war. In States, he married Guadalupe Great Depression, so the family spite of the discourse that speaks of Rincon, an old friend. didn’t worry about eating. a war as a universal experience, after Zavala was then sent to the He served in Georgia and North interviewing more than two dozen South Pacific to fight the Japanese. Carolina in the U.S. Army Medical Latino veterans from WWII, Korea and In August 1945, Zavala was Corps. His duties included caring Vietnam, the war experience should be on the USS Pondera en route to for soldiers injured in the war. considered — and understood — in a very Okinawa when the war ended. When the draft was ended, he individual and subjective way. He was discharged on Dec. 3, decided to re-enlist in the regular I learned that war is more than 1945, as technician fifth class. His Army. When his time of service empirical data; war is the song that decorations include a European ended, he was discharged in triggers memories, the letters that never Theater of Operations Medal with Augusta, Ga. got home, the friend who was lost, the four Bronze Stars. Zavala and his He returned home in 1947 and brother who never returned home, the wife started a family in Taylor, married Estella Martinez Zermeno, orders in English, the prayers in Spanish. Texas. They had nine children. in 1948. They used the G.I. Bill to Those are the details I am honored to Zavala was born on May 20, buy a house, and he worked as a rescue and share with those who are 1922, to Zeferino Zavala and clerk at the U.S. Postal Service. willing to re-write history. Monica Almendarez Zavala. To Zermeno, military service *Rivas-Rodriguez was the editor for After the war, Zavala worked at was a great experience. a special Latinos and Media issue of a furniture store for 45 years until Interviewed on July 20, 2010, in the Latino Studies journal, published in his retirement. Goliad, Texas. 2011. Interviewed on June 6, 2008, in Manuel Aviles Santiago has served as Taylor, Texas. a research assistant from 2009 until the present.

Page 12 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Interviews from the Project: Korea

Pete Castillo Gabriel Garcia Arnoldo Gutierrez Interviewed by Raquel C. Garza Interviewed by Cheryl Smith Kemp Interviewed by Brenda Menchaca

Pedro “Pete” Castillo was born Gabriel Garcia left Mercedes, The Korean War proved to be in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 23, 1931, Texas, for U.S. Army basic training a turning point for Arnoldo D. and he felt he was pretty seasoned in 1952. It was the first time he Gutierrez. He believed the U.S. Army in the art of surviving adversity by had ever left his hometown but gave him the best education possible. the time he entered the U.S. Army he was excited to see the world. He was born in 1932. When he in 1952. A book about World War II turned 20, he received his draft letter. Castillo lived in what he called paratroopers helped inspire him to It was Dec. 19, 1952. Gutierrez said “the shack,” a small home with a enlist. the year and nine months he spent in tin roof that his father built with Garcia served in both the the Army brought a lot of changes in pieces of wood and scrap metal. Korean and Vietnam wars, but his life. The boys picked cotton to help he never saw combat. He was After basic training at Camp with expenses, and Castillo often assigned to the 504th Airborne Chaffee, Ark., he went to Wheeled missed school. Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Vehicle Mechanic School, where he When he was in school, he faced Division, and performed many learned how to modify and assemble prejudice from his teachers. Some administrative duties. He also military vehicles. would not permit him to speak served in the Air Force. From 1953 The Army offered him clothes, Spanish or he would be spanked. to 1960, he was stationed in bases enough food and a place to sleep. He He also saw other Latinos harassed throughout the United States, and acquired mental maturity as well as just because they were eating tacos. in Italy, Vietnam, Germany and physical skills. He said he learned In high school he was recruited Spain. about life through the process of into the Texas National Guard, He was discharged from the Air harmonizing with 12 soldiers from and he left after an attack of Force on Sept. 1, 1979, as a chief different backgrounds and building appendicitis. On his 21st birthday, master sergeant. His decorations a team. he was drafted into the Army. included a Vietnam Service Medal, But he also had bad Army He was assigned to the 424th a Bronze Star, and a Joint Services memories. He recalled how the war Ordnance Company at Fort Sill Commendation Medal, and two devastated South Korean lives. He saw from 1951 to 1953, learning about Meritorious Service Medals. civilians dying of hunger, suffering different types of ammunition and He returned to Texas, earned an in the cold weather, and dying of which kinds were most effective in associate’s degree, and he bought a disease. He remembered Koreans different scenarios. home. He married Amelia Flores, hanging onto the Army’s tanks and In 1953, Castillo transferred to and they had four children. begging for chocolate and food. the Army Reserve until 1957. He His advice to younger Latinos: In 1954, Gutierrez was discharged was discharged as a private first “One thing we can do is continue as a staff sergeant. He eventually class. to strive to acquire formal learning became a teacher and worked for 21 After his service, he married to the extent that we're able to, years, motivating his students and Maria de Jesus Herrera in 1953, because it's certainly not going to trying to guide them onto paths better and they had 11 children. hurt.” than his own. Interviewed on Jan. 19, 2010, in Interviewed on Jan. 15, 2010, in Interviewed on March 6, 2010 in Austin, Texas. Austin, Texas. Laredo, Texas.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 13 Project Testimonial Interviews from the Project: Korea

Benny Martinez Neftali Zendejas Yazmin Lazcano, M.A. Interviewed by Tina Hughes Interviewed by Raquel C. Garza Ph.D. candidate in Rhetoric, Arizona State University Benny Martinez, who was born on Neftali L. Zendejas had always My political awareness began in Jan. 4, 1934, in Goliad, Texas, was wanted to work with aircraft. When 2000, in Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez’s one of 11 children of Placido L. and he was a child, he saw a Lockheed J335 course, Community Journalism. Paula C. Martinez, also natives of P-38 Lightning parked at an airfield, As an undergraduate at the University Goliad. and it inspired him to join the Air of Texas at Austin, I learned about life Martinez decided to join the Army Force. during World War II through Mexican- to escape the racial prejudice he saw Zendejas enlisted on Feb. 11, Americans’ firsthand accounts. I had all around him. He was assigned to 1948. In 1951, Zendejas went to not heard these stories while in high the 564th Quartermaster Company, Japan to serve in the Korean War, school in El Paso, Texas. The experience 55th Quartermaster Battalion, in the which began in June 1950. He was of hearing the stories of these men and 8th Army, and served in Korea. assigned to the 27th Fighter-Escort women, and especially the manner in Martinez said he experienced only Wing. which they told their stories — with one skirmish in Korea before being After his time in Korea, he was grace, humility, and humor — still discharged on June 23, 1958. He promoted to staff sergeant and sent moves me today. transferred to the Army Reserves back to Texas to serve on bases Years later, as staff member for Medical Corps, where he served in Austin and El Paso. He also the U.S. Latino & Latina WWII until 1962. His decorations include served at Castle Air Force Base Oral History Project, I mentioned my the Good Conduct Medal, the Far in California. He was trained in interest in the role memory played in East Campaign Medal, and the aircraft welding and jet mechanics. the stories we documented. Dr. Rivas- Marksman Award. In 1966, he was sent to Vietnam Rodriguez responded, “Sounds like a When he returned home, he to help repair damaged aircraft. dissertation topic.” Today, as I work married Helen Orzabel and they had Sometimes, he recalled, the planes through my Ph.D. program at Arizona two children. would return with the bodies of State University, I still cultivate the seeds He also became a nurse. His dead military personnel still inside. planted by both the oral histories and knowledge enabled him to care for Zendejas remembered turning over Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez’s passion. his wife, mother, and mother-in-law. their dog tags. “I’d go and flip the Chicano anthropologist Renato Later he earned an education names, and [there were] a lot of Rosaldo’s argument that ethnographers degree from the University of Mexicans,” he said. are “positioned subjects who have a Houston. After nursing, he became He was discharged on Jan. 31, distinctive mix of insight and blindness” a Houston school teacher of math, 1969, as a master sergeant. His truly became meaningful to me because social studies, and music. His efforts decorations included the Good of the Project. In my case, cultural to help others were recognized when Conduct Medal. insight began to replace cultural Houston declared Aug. 27, 1997, He moved his family to blindness when I heard the oral histories and Harris County declared Feb. 17, Austin, worked at the U.S. Postal we gathered. I’m grateful I was involved 1998, to be Benny C. Martinez Day. Service, and helped veterans with with the Project. I’ll continue to fight He moved back to Goliad in 2001 paperwork, job searches, and against cultural blindness with my and practiced nursing three years education benefits. work. before retiring. Interviewed on Jan. 15, 2010, in Yazmin Lazcano was the project Interviewed on July 20, 2010, in Austin, Texas. manager from 2004 until 2005 Goliad, Texas.

Page 14 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Interviews from the Project: Vietnam

Eugenia Alemán Richard Brito Fred Castañeda Interviewed by Joshua Barajas Interviewed by Manuel Avilés-Santiago Interviewed by Manuel Avilés-Santiago

As a “trailing spouse,” whose In 1966, Richard Brito saw his Fred Castañeda served in the husband was stationed in the chance to help defend his nation U.S. Army for four years and Philippines during the Vietnam War, through U.S. Army service in fought with the 173rd Airborne Eugenia “Jennie” Gonzalez Alemán Vietnam. Brigade in Vietnam. When he did what she could. She wrote letters Racial discrimination was returned to an angry American for wounded American servicemen. pervasive when he was growing up in society who rejected him as a Alemán was born on Aug. 21, Brownsville but it was an unspoken soldier, he rejected his nation’s 1940, in Rosebud, Texas, and topic, Brito said. He recalled his offer to make him an American always tried to make herself useful. family, however, didn’t suffer much citizen. She often helped fill out immigration because his father was a prominent “I thought about that and said, applications for the migrant workers businessman. ‘If this is the way you're going to be looking for work. Brito completed basic training at treated, I'll go back to Mexico,’” She and John Alemán married in Fort Ord in California and advanced Castañeda said. 1966, as he prepared to serve as an training at Fort Eustis in Virginia. In 1970, he had been a Mexican Air Force officer, and as war raged He graduated from Officer Candidate citizen attending a prestigious in Vietnam. School in 1967. Soon after finishing, university on a scholarship. When When he was sent to the he joined the 8th Special Forces the award ran out, he was drafted Philippines, she decided to follow Group in the Panama Canal Zone. into the Army, where he trained him. She tried to get a job at Clark After a year he was sent to Vietnam as a paratrooper. He and other Air Base. When that didn’t work, and was assigned the position paratroopers were reassigned to she joined the Catholic Women of of Chief, Military Operations replenish the battle-weakened 23rd Clark Club, and began comforting Division for Civil Operations and Infantry Division, and he served in wounded soldiers. Revolutionary Development Support the 196th Light Infantry Brigade as She lived there for two years until (CORDS) in Nha Trang, Vietnam. a machine-gunner. the couple reunited and returned to Brito was discharged from the He served as an Army recruiter Texas in 1968. They lived in Waco Army on July 23, 1970, as a captain. from 1972 to 1974 and was and later in Houston, looking for His decorations include a Bronze discharged in 1974 as a sergeant. work and a home. Star, an Army Commendation He moved to California, earned “It was sad,” she said. “It was Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, a bachelor’s degree from Loyola very hard [adjusting].” Vietnam Service Medal with one University, and then returned to Despite the obstacles they faced, Bronze Service Star and a Republic Mexico, where he earned an MBA. the Alemáns were not inspired of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He later studied for a doctorate in to join the Chicano civil rights Brito returned to the University of international business. movement. Houston and earned an economics He also worked for IBM for 31 “I've pushed to get ahead, but I degree. He later earned an MBA. years. But the war never left him, don't believe in threatening people,” He also served in the Texas Army and he said the effects of post- she said. “I just believe in asking for National Guard until 1994, when he traumatic stress disorder strained what rights I have." retired as a colonel. many of his relationships. Interviewed on April 8, 2011, in Interviewed on Jan. 21, 2010, in Interviewed on Jan. 18, 2010, in Houston, Texas. Austin, Texas. Austin, Texas.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 15 Interviews from the Project: Vietnam

Armando Garcia Richard Geissler Juan Carlos Gonzales Interviewed by Frank L. Hernandez Interviewed by Frank Trejo Interviewed by Valerie Martinez

In August 1945, Armando O. Passion for community activism As a child, Juan Carlos Gonzales Garcia and his family gathered shaped the life of Richard Geissler Jr. felt destined to fight for his country. around the radio and listened to the Born in White Plains, N.Y., He grew up in a home where his news: The United States had just Geissler moved with his father to father and four uncles were World dropped an atomic bomb on Japan. Venezuela when he was just six War II veterans, and he felt that Although the destruction took months old. The elder Geissler, a patriotism and strategic instinct ran place far away, it was a significant World War II veteran who served in his blood. event for the 8-year-old boy in under Gen. George S. Patton in Gonzales, who grew up in Sonora, Marfa, Texas. North Africa, was an engineer Texas, enlisted in the Army in He came from a poor family and helped build high-rises in the 1965 and fought for two years in with no access to college funds. He Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Vietnam. He was first assigned knew he had two options after high Geissler's father died when Geissler to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. school: Enter the workforce or join was 15 years old, and he never knew When he arrived in Saigon, he the military. his biological mother, so he moved in was reassigned to the 1st Cavalry Garcia enlisted in the U.S. Army with relatives in Scarsdale, N.Y. Division. “I was in the rear,” he Reserves in March 1955. He was Geissler joined Volunteers in wrote later, “and I hated it.” called to active duty in September Service to America. Geissler said He convinced an officer to 1956, and he served in Germany in VISTA members were sent wherever reassign him to the Pathfinders. 1956 and Hawaii in 1960. In 1964, their skills were needed. Geissler He was sent to the 11th Pathfinder Garcia was shipped to Southeast went to Laredo, Texas, because he Company, 11th Aviation Group, 1st Asia. But he was never stationed in could speak Spanish. Cavalry Division. Vietnam. He served in Thailand, He helped organize a strike In 1968, everything changed for Cambodia and Laos with several by Laredo waitresses who were Gonzales. The year began with the units, including the 2nd Armored demanding a fair wage from their Tet Offensive, a surprise North Division and the 25th Infantry employers. He also helped stage Vietnamese attack on U.S. and Division. blockades at a border-crossing to South Vietnamese forces. During Garcia was an aerial observer on prevent Mexican laborers from one battle, he distinguished himself a helicopter, helping plot enemy crossing into Texas and breaking by rescuing some wounded soldiers. positions in the three countries strikes. Gonzales returned to the U.S. neighboring Vietnam. He also When he was drafted during on May 5, 1968, and taught at served as a translator after taking a the Vietnam War, he filed to be a the Pathfinder school. He was crash course in the Thai language conscientious objector. discharged a few months later. He before his deployment. He was assigned to be a cook and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal Garcia was discharged in 1985 as was eventually honorably discharged with V for Valor, a Purple Heart and a staff sergeant. After his discharge, as a specialist. the Air Medal. he worked in the insurance industry He had one child with Donna In 1969, Gonzales married Lilia and got married. McKelroy and six children with Perez and had two children. Interviewed on Aug. 3, 2010, in Jacqueline Frank. Interviewed on July 30, 2010, in Alpine, Texas. Interviewed on March 6, 2010, in Austin, Texas. Laredo, Texas.

Page 16 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Interviews from the Project: Vietnam

Alex Hernandez Hernan Jaso Mercurio Martinez Interviewed by Rudy Padilla Interviewed by Tina Hughes Interviewed by Frank Trejo

“Baby killer!” were the words Alex Hernan Jaso was born in Refugio, Although Mercurio Martinez Jr. Hernandez heard when he returned Texas, on Aug. 29, 1944, to Apolonio never served in the armed forces, to the United States after 19 months and Odilia Jaso. He had four siblings. both he and his hometown of Laredo, in Vietnam, and he remembered it His father was a World War II veteran Texas, always respected and admired was a small boy, about 4 or 5 years who served under Gen. George S. the veterans from World War II, the old, who yelled them. Patton in France and Germany. Korean War and the Vietnam War. Hernandez was born on April His mother was a homemaker and Martinez was a child during 6, 1952, in Kansas City, Kan. seamstress. World War II and a teenager when Hernandez said he always felt he was Jaso finished Refugio High School North Korea invaded South Korea in a leader. He was the oldest of nine at 17 and attended Victoria Junior 1950. children. College for two years before he was In 1959, he graduated from After high school graduation in drafted into the Army in 1965 and St. Mary’s University with an 1970, he decided to follow in the served in Vietnam. accounting degree. In 1960, shortly family tradition and join the Army. After basic training, he married after his first child was born, Hernandez was sent to Vietnam, Julie Hernandez, and then was sent to Martinez was ordered to report for a where he worked on helicopters all Fort Eustis in Virginia to learn how physical in San Antonio. But he was day and sometimes at night. to repair aircraft. He was assigned to excused because of President John F. Hernandez was assigned to Battery the 604th Transportation Company, Kennedy’s executive order exempting A, 2/20 Aerial Rocket Artillery 14th Transportation Battalion, which married men with children from Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne service. was later moved to the 238th Aerial Division. He later became a business Weapons Company. From there he He left Vietnam in 1967 and instructor, and he said he could went to the 196th Light Infantry returned to Texas to finish his Army tell who was a veteran and who Brigade, an air cavalry unit. Finally, service. wasn’t because of the dedication and he was assigned to F Troop, 8th After the war, he worked at DuPont importance the GI Bill recipients Cavalry, 196th Light Infantry as a lab analyst and as a special placed on education. His students Brigade. investigator for the Texas attorney eventually included veterans from the Hernandez was discharged in general. He later earned a degree in Vietnam War. 1973. His decorations included the criminal justice. Martinez continued to live most of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army He also entered public service. After his life in Laredo and in San Ygnacio, Commendation Medal with oak leaf, Jaso’s friends helped him register all Texas, where his family had lived and the Republic of Vietnam Cross the eligible Latino voters in town, he since the 1700s. He had six children. of Gallantry. served as mayor of Goliad three times, He continued his family’s legacy Back in the United States, from 1977 to 1982. of public service by serving on the Hernandez joined the Missouri He also served on educational Laredo Community College Board National Guard and became an advisory boards and persuaded of Trustees and as a regional director officer. He retired from Army the Texas Legislature to make the of the Small Business Administration Reserves in 2000 as a major. University of Houston-Victoria a four- during the Carter Administration. He married and had two children. year institution. Interviewed on March 6, 2010, in Interviewed on June 17, 2010, in Interviewed on July 20, 2010, in Laredo, Texas. Kansas City, Kan. Goliad, Texas.

No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 VOCES Oral History Project Page 17 Interviews from the Project: Vietnam

Eddie Morín James Rendon Juan Sanchez-Acevedo Interviewed by Henry Mendoza Interviewed by David Muto Interviewed by Manuel Avilés-Santiago

In 1965, after two weeks at sea James R. Rendon, who was born For more than 45 years, Juan aboard the USS Gordon, Eddie and raised in Laredo, Texas, gave up Modesto Sanchez-Acevedo carried a Morín heard the captain declare his last semester of high school to vivid memory of the Vietnam War. It over the loudspeaker that he and enlist in the Marine Corps. happened moments before boarding his fellow soldiers were headed to Rendon enlisted on April 15, the ship that would transport him to Vietnam. 1967, because he felt there were no war and change his life forever. Morín was a part of the 18th other options for Latinos. He looked “President Lyndon B. Johnson Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry to the military for guidance and passed by to check on the troops and Division, and he was among the first opportunity. he asked me [where I was from],” group of U.S. combat troops to set After basic training, Rendon was Sanchez-Acevedo said. “Meeting foot in Vietnam. sent to Vietnam in December 1967. the president is one of the greatest Morín emulated his father, Raul He was assigned to Company B, 1st things I could have experienced in Morín, who was a World War II Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine the war.” veteran who later used his wartime Division. Sanchez-Acevedo was born into a experiences as a point of reference Rendon faced a major scare on large Puerto Rican family. for activism. Feb. 22, 1968, when during street After school, he worked as a The East Los Angeles native had fighting, a B40 rocket came in mechanic and a welder in Aguada, been drafted in 1964. through the window of a house he Puerto Rico. In Vietnam, Morín worked as a and two other Marines had entered. On Nov. 3, 1965, he enlisted rifleman and guard, and he helped Rendon was wounded and was sent in the U.S. Army, and by the end to clear land so that some of the first to Cam Ranh Bay, in South Vietnam. of the year he was in training in bases could be built near Cam Ranh Rendon was discharged on Dec. 26, North Carolina, where he first Bay. His unit also patrolled. Less 1972, as a corporal. His decorations experienced cold weather, snow, than two years into his service, he include the Purple Heart and the and racial discrimination. “The was injured in a Viet Cong ambush. Navy Achievement Medal. white Americans thought they were He spent 13 months in hospitals He returned to Laredo and spent superior just because we were Latino in the Philippines, Hawaii and years struggling with post-traumatic and didn’t speak their language,” he the United States. His decorations stress disorder. recalled. include the Purple Heart and the In 1976, he married Rosalinda He was assigned to the 512th Combat Infantry Badge. Garza Rendon, and they had two Transportation Company and sent Anti-war protests caused Morín children. to Vietnam. to internalize his anger over the He assisted Latinos as a way He said Sept. 2, 1967, was his situation because he felt that of fighting the prejudice he faced unit’s bloodiest day. His convoy was he could not change it. He also throughout his lifetime. He assisted attacked, and at least three people struggled with post-traumatic stress with fundraisers to help send Laredo were killed. disorder. veterans to Washington, D.C., to But the end of his tour was in He was married twice and had view the Vietnam Veterans Memorial sight. Three weeks later, he returned two children. Wall. to Puerto Rico. Interviewed on June 9, 2010, in Interviewed on March 6, 2010, in Interviewed on Dec. 31, 2009, in Los Angeles. Laredo, Texas. Aguada, Puerto Rico.

Page 18 VOCES Oral History Project No. 13 & 14, Summer 2012 Project Testimonials Brenda Sendejo, Ph.D. Valerie Martínez, M.A. Asst. Professor of Anthropology Doctoral Student in History Southwestern University University of Texas at Austin Georgetown, Texas “You made me feel Working with the U.S. important.” The late Latino & Latina WWII Oral Mike Morado wrote History Project helped me these kind words to me to develop as an educator- after our interview for scholar in numerous ways. the VOCES Oral History Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez Project during the summer and Dr. Emilio Zamora gave of 2010 in Kansas City, me an opportunity to be a Mo. Mr. Morado was a Valerie Martínez with Mr. Morado, contributor to "Beyond the Latino War Hero." This was decorated World War II taken during interview, 2010. so very important in terms of giving me experience in Army veteran who served writing and publishing a scholarly piece. I was also able in the European Theater in 1944. He and the many to present research based on oral history interviews at other Latino veterans and women who bravely served scholarly conferences. their country both overseas and on the home front made One of the most important things I took away from an incredible impact on me as a young scholar and as a my work with the Project was how to effectively Latina. I can confidently attest to the importance that my connect what we do as scholars with our commitment Project internship had on my intellectual and personal to working in our communities. Bridging the academy development. and community took the form of integrating oral Even though we were able to interview a few histories into educational curriculum for local courageous women, either wives, relatives, or those elementary schools, connecting young people with men working on the home front in wartime industry, and women of the WWII generation through school unfortunately during my time with the project, we visits, public exhibits and symposiums and much more. could not find women veterans to interview. As these I learned of the importance of intergenerational unspeakably brave women form a vital part in the projects through my involvement in the Project. I Latino/a World War II narrative, I felt a duty to them and learned a great deal from my interactions with men to write about their specific experiences. and women of the WWII generation and established I thank Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez for the connections with such amazing people. These are the opportunity to intern with the Project. Most importantly, kinds of learning and life experiences I hope to pass I thank all the men and women who honored me with down to my own students. their life stories. Brenda Sendejo coordinated educational outreach Valerie Martinez was a summer intern in the summer and exhibits in 2003-2004. of 2010.

High School Students Helping Keep History

VOCES Oral History Project not the students are again finishing their is on his school’s debate team, helped only chronicles the history and lives of chores quickly, keeping staff on its transcribe veteran interviews and U.S. Latinos and Latinas, but now also toes. organized database information for is helping shape the future. The summer internship program the project. In the summer of 2011, and 2012, provides young people the opportunity But he had a favorite task during his VOCES has hosted high school to work in real-world work internship. interns taking part in the Work-Based environments and develop not only “I had the opportunity to speak with Learning Program/Summer Youth work skills, but also confidence. real life Latino vets,” Saldaña said. Employment, a joint venture of the Among the diligent and hard- “For example, I spoke to a vet who City of Austin and Travis County working young people who spent six fought in World War II, Korea and Health & Human Services and weeks last summer at VOCES was Vietnam.” Veterans Services Department. Paul Saldaña, who now is a sophomore He said he would like to continue The student interns have been a at Austin High School. working on historical projects. boon for the Project, This summer, Saldaña, who also plays football and

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U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project U.S. Latino & Latina To send a check or money order: WWII Oral History Project N Insider Narratives ARRATIVES U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin Scho Narratives Honor y The University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism No. 12, Spring 2010 ol of Journalism No. 10, Summer 2009 VOCES Oral History Project Project Marks 10-Year MilestoneNo. 11, Fall/Winter 2009 M Project logs 700th archive subject ark Symposium focuses on KoreanPlease and join Vietnam us as we celebrate wars a milestone—the With 10 years under its belt, the U.S. Latino & Project’s 10th anniversary—and your look toward the future, expanding to include interviews from theValor Korea Milestone highlights 10 years Latinaof devotion WWII Oral Historyfrom Project took time this and Vietnam-era. C * University of Texas at Austin fall to celebrate its past and prepare for the future. alendar volunteers, staffers o 300 W. Dean Keeton St. Stop A1000 The U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project C The 10th anniversary festivities took place at the is proud to host our 10-year-anniversary celebratorytober : Months after celebrating its 10-year anniversary,AT&T Executive the Project Education has hit and Conference Center dinner and One-Day National Conference on October o ChroniclingA Decade a Legacy of Project plans expansion. Page 4. 3, 2009,ne yet another landmark: adding the 700th personat the University to its subject of Texas archives. at Austin and featured 2-3, 2009 at the AT&T Executive Conference Center -d ay The 700th file was for the interview of a Luisdinner Pineda, to honor who Project fought participants. in It also on The University of Texas at Austin campus. n Texas and California to ensure the event’s success. ational both the Korean and Vietnam wars. It wasincluded donated a one-day by Rea symposium Ann Trotter, that focused on the The one-day conference will focus on the Korean austin Austin, TX 78712-1073 Korean and Vietnam wars. Inclusion of interviews “Special kudos to our host committee for giv War and Vietnam conflict as we explore how to who conducted the interview in 1996, even before the Project began. ing so freely of their time to making our evening proceed into the next phase ofC the Project. The Korean from those two wars will be part of a planned texas The Pineda interview was her 17th for the Project. War will be discussed by Silvia onferenAlvarez Curbelo of expansion. Jim Estrada, chairman and chief execu a great success,” said Rivas-Rodriguez. “This is Trotter, a retired Colorado schoolteacher, is among the many the University of Puerto Rico, Allan R. Millett of the tive officer of Estrada Communications, Inc. and the start of some beautiful new friendships for our- individuals who have devoted time and energy to documenting the project.” University of New Orleans, Carlos Vélez-IbañezCe of project director Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez Arizona State University. The Vietnam conflict will legacy of Latino wartime veterans and civilians for the Project. The dinner was well attended by sponsors, Project worked with a dinner committee of volunteers from- be discussed by Mark Lawrence of The University “Rea and I met in New York in 2000, when we were both taking interviewees and their families. of Texas, Kyle Longley of Arizona State University a two-week oral history class at Columbia University,” said Project Silvia Alvarez sponsored by national corporations, several localand Jorge Mariscal of the University of California at San Diego. Director Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez. “We hit it off right away, as we were Curbelo companies, organizations on the UTThe campus, event was as Photo by Marc Hamel both deeply committed to interviewing Latino WorldRemembering War II veterans. the Lost Canteen:well as, individual donors. David Muto looks over the 700th subject She has become a dear long-distance friend, and Rea continues to work Allan Millett file in the archive. Muto, a senior studying A note from the project director continued on page 2 journalism and spanish, is a staff member. with us.” continued on page 2 Make all checks payable to: WWII veteran Ramón Galindo an Photo by Marc Hamel welcomed me and two other UT employ Rese Carlos Vélez- Austin home recently. Need title here Affairs to videotape and photograph me i d his wife, Pauline,Rve InsideIbañez this issue The purpose of the visit was for the U web site. ( ees into their South you Inside this issue A note from the project director several yearsSee ago, the andrelated he hasstory b on page 15.) 10th Anniversary ...... Mark Lawrence Tickets are $50R per person. To reserve seats at the dinner, please call the Project Mr. Galindo related new anecdotes. nterviewing Mr. Galindo for a new U s Project Expansion...... 700th Archive Subject ...... 1-2 T OfficeOffice of Public at 512-471-1924. pace The University of Texas at Austin Among those attending the U.S. Latino & Latina WWII ecome a good Our friend. Project But interviewedthat Friday moMr. Galindo Calls for new photos 1-3 There wasOn this thecanteen, Road...... you see, t 2 T

Europe, on which he had scratched the 1 oday Oral History Project’s 10th anniversary dinner last 9 Please be sure to tellfor usexpansion...... how many people will attend4 with you. Please note 99 T - that space is limited, so reservations must be made as soon as possible. Planning Ahead/ 20 Kyle Longley October were several law school students. They recentlystayed in. But when he got stateside, h 09 hat he carried with him through all ofrning, WWII Interviews: fo Photo by Marc Hamel described to me how deeply touched they were by the important memento Inventory of his ti Story...... 3 To make hotel reservations, please call the AT&T Executive Conference names of every country andCenter camp Hotel,he 512-404-3600, Subject or Toll Stories...... Free 1-877-744-8822.R 4 video (now available on our Web site) and the speakers. As we expandFocus to the Groups...... Korean and Vi 4-5 This me overseas.e was ordered to turn it in, losing an StoryCorps...... It helped them to know that others have gone before them and sacrificedWWII people and continue to work wit receivePlease a special mention rate. you Hotel are spaceattending is also our limited, event whenso reservations making reservations must be made to as Jorge Mariscal Richness of Photos...... 6-7 Project on Campus...... 5-13his Please denote “VOCES Oral History Project” to find similar gems among those who we soon as possible. T so much to open doors. The students sensed that if those World War II folks etnam eras, we give a strong will undoubtedly WWIIcommand Interviews: our atten Project's New Book...... 14 oR could do it, they could too. They felt immense pride that those Latinos were h them, while also extending our reach ic those of Ramón Galindo. Subject Stories...... 8-16 Art Reception...... 15 so dignified and determined. re born a little later, whose abrazoexperiences even Puerto Rico Project...... 17 to our 16 Also at that dinner were Cynthia Haynes Ramirez and her husband, tion and commitment in the same way as Volunteer Spotlight: T Pancho Ramirez. Cynthia, a former schoolteacher, lobbied to bringNo. our 11, Fall/Winter 2009Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Estrada...... 17 Cynthia Haynes-Ramirez 18 Works in Progress...... in the memo line. interview team to Laredo. We did, in early March. One never knows whose lives we touch. And it’s no secret that these Laredo Story...... The U.S. Latino19 & Latina WWII Oral History Project 18 interviews also inspire us daily. We feel privileged for the opportunity to 19 record the stories of men and women who have given so freely of themselves.

No. 12, Spring 2010 U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project Page 1 Page 1

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VOCES Oral History Project: Dedicated to Creating a Greater Awareness of U.S. Latino Contributions Ph. (512) 471-1924 • www.vocesoralhistoryproject.org • [email protected]