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Over 350,000 Mexican Americans, as well as Mexican immigrants, served in World War II. A big thank you should be said to all the brave soldiers who served. We highlight here many who stood out but didn't receive a Medal of Honor for their heroic acts.
Photo from herostreet.org
Hero Street
A street in Silvis, Illinois, mainly occupied by Mexicans, was given the name Hero because the number of contributors coming from the street was the most when compared to similar-sized streets. It was estimated that over 100 young men and women represented their nation in the war. Eight brave and courageous men from Hero Street gave their lives to WWII. (“A Brief Study of Hero Street USA“)
William Sandoval
(Decorations/Awards: Bronze Star
Combat Inf. Badge
Good Conduct Medal
WWII Victory Medal
Purple Heart (Posthumously)
Arrowhead Campaign Netherlands
Orange Lanyard and Honorable Service Lapel Button
European-African and Middle Eastern Campaign with 3 Campaign Stars)
William Sandoval was born on September 16, 1923. Sandoval served for the U.S. Army as a 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and 82nd Airborne Division.
On October 6, 1944, William was overrun while in conflict with the enemy near Zyfflich, Germany. He was later recorded as missing while in action. Sandoval was later officially stated as being killed in action on October 7, 1945. (“The Heroes“)
Photo from herostreetusa.org
Photo from herostreetusa.org
Frank Sandoval
Awards/Decorations: (Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart (posthumously), Asiatic Pacific Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific with Campaign Stars for India and Burma)
Frank Sandoval was born on September 5, 1919. Sandoval partook in the U.S. Army on October 3, 1942. He also served in North Burma with the Co. C 209 Engineer Combat Battalion. Sandoval unfortunately was later declared as "killed in action" on June 26, 1944. (“The Heroes“)
For more information about the Hero Street veterans, visit: herostreetusa.org
More Notable Veterans
Antonio Mendez
Silver Star Recipient
Antonio Mendez is a 5´5, foot Mexican American soldier who weighed 155 pounds at the time and had enormous confidence. Mr. Mendez wanted to volunteer for the army, but he was being turned down for his size and, at the same time, was also admired for his attitude. He was later drafted into the war and was deployed to Germany with the 9th infantry Division, 47 Regiment, 3rd Battalion. On November 21st, in Weisweiler, Germany, Mendez showcased the brave and heroic man he is. The infantry was under serious weaponry. Mendez and his machine gun were getting to work as he covered fire for the fleeing units that needed to reorganize. Second, after second, Mendez had himself exposed to some serious firepower. Mendez located where the enemies were and proceeded to fire. Winning the Silver Star for gallantry is a considerable milestone, and Mendez feels thrilled about it. Mr. Mendez praises his mother for praying for him, crediting her for his safe return. (Barragan)
Photo from umva.org
(Barragan)
Photo from: Wikipedia
Agustin Ramos Calero
Silver Star Medal, four Purple Hearts, and the French Croix de Guerre recipient.
In 1945, Calero's group was caught in a conflict against a squad of German soldiers in Colmar, France. The battle is now known as the Battle of Colmar Pocket. Calero fired at the enemy squad, causing ten fatalities and seizing 21 enemy soldiers before receiving wounds himself. Caleros fellow soldiers awarded him the nickname “One Man Army”. Calero received the Silver Star Medal. Calero tragically received four wounds during his time in battle. He was granted 22 medals for his heroic actions. Calero became one of the most decorated and applauded Hispanic soldiers in the U.S. military during World War II. (Harris)
Richard Candelaria
Awards: Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross
Always dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot, Candelaria enlisted in the US Army Air Forces to serve and fulfill his dream. He was stationed in Britain to fight against the Germans. He was an excellent flyer, shooting down four enemy fighter jets from a group of 17, all on his own. His squadron came to assist him in facing the remaining jets. Though his skills were exemplary, he made some crucial mistakes that caused him to be shot down in enemy territory. He became a prisoner of war for over a month. Candelaria once reported that he was treated well: Doctors treated his wounds. He managed to escape with other American prisoners to a nearby base. A unique feature about Candelaria is that he continued to serve well after the war ended. He served in the newly-formed Air Force branch during the Cold War until 1964.
For more detailed accounts on Candelaria's contributions to the war effort, visit https://bit.ly/2OZiDrq
Photo from veterantributes.org
Photo from the University of Texas at Austin
Agapito E. Silva
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart
Drafted into the 200th Coast Artillery Regiment in the Philippines, Silva endured many troubling situations where it seemed like the odds were stacked against him. Unfortunately, the Americans were close to running out of food. In an interview with Brian Lucero of the University of Texas at Austin, he recounted that everyone around him had many types of tropical diseases: malaria, dengue, dysentery, diarrhea, and fevers. His regiment indeed was facing brutal conditions of war. The Japanese were keen on taking the Philippines, so they used tanks to bring a swift occupation of the country. He and his regiment were overrun and became prisoners of war. Silva endured horrible treatment for over 3 years. He had to work nearly 12 hours per day performing back-breaking work for the Japanese. Freedom ensued when the US dropped the atomic bombs on Japan, ending the war. Silva’s contributions to the war were certainly honorable, braving many difficult circumstances when many others chose not to.
Oscar Francis Perdomo
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross
By 1940, Perdomo enlisted and served in the US Army Air Forces. He moved between many different bases all over the US training in highly specialized fields of aircraft flying techniques. Taking the maneuvers he learned, Perdomo was sent to Okinawa, Japan to make a sweep of any Japanese aircraft. On one August morning, his squadron made a fly-over in Seoul, Korea, and encountered more than fifty enemy aircraft. He managed to shoot down five Japanese fighters, earning him the distinction “ace”, one of the last of the war. A “flying ace” is a flyer who shoots down five or more enemy aircraft.
Photo from the Texas State Historical Association
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