Soldiers' Stories |Latinx Soldiers: Online Resources

"Civil War 1861-1865: Like other ethnic groups of Americans, Hispanics were divided in their loyalties, fighting heroically for both the Union and Confederate armies. Most Hispanics were integrated into the regular Army or volunteer units, although some served in predominantly Hispanic units with their own officers. Hispanics were especially instrumental in protecting the Southwest against Confederate advances, most notably in California, Arizona and New Mexico." continue reading...

"This proud Arizona National Guard unit, the 158th Infantry (Bushmasters), organized as the Arizona Volunteer Infantry for the Indian campaigns in 1865, had its motto, "Cuidado" -- Take Care. Mustering in the great southwest desert, the unit was mainly "Mexican-American" and North American Indian from twenty tribes." continue reading...

"LUCIAN ADAMS: Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near St. Die, France, 28 October 1944. Entered service at: Port Arthur, Tex. Birth: Port Arthur, Tex. G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 28 October 1944, near St. Die, France. When his company was stopped in its effort to drive through the Mortagne Forest to reopen the supply line to the isolated third battalion, S/Sgt. Adams braved the concentrated fire of machineguns in a lone assault on a force of German troops." continue reading...

"Over 500,000 Latinos (including 350,000 Mexican Americans and 53,000 Puerto Ricans) served in WWII. Exact numbers are difficult because, with the exception of the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico, Latinos were not segregated into separate units, as African Americans were. When war was declared on December 8, 1941, thousands of Latinos were among those that rushed to enlist." continue reading...

"On the battle lines, he proved his courage as a soldier several times, his actions speaking for themselves as to why he was worth all the decorations he later collected. In one confrontation with enemy soldiers, his squad was attacked and 12 fellows were killed. Injured himself, Serna nevertheless proceeded with the fight, going after the attackers and capturing eight adversaries." continue reading...

"From the jungles of the South Pacific to the deserts of North Africa to the invasion of Europe, the Hispanic community was overrepresented in combat units, suffering casualties in excessive numbers. In part this was due to the fact that a great many volunteered for more dangerous missions and service branches, such as paratroops and marines, which both paid more and led to greater appreciation." continue reading...

"Hispanic Americans serve in leadership positions and overseas on strategic postings. The number of Hispanic Americans serving on active duty in the Army increased from 3% in 1985 to 16% in 2019. Just over 15% of Air Force personnel are Hispanic or Latino." continue reading...

"Histories concerning the role of soldiers of Mexican descent, whether U.S. born, naturalized, or seeking citizenship, are particularly scarce. The U.S. military’s classification of Mexicans as “White” in World War I – and thus interspersed with other ethnicities – has challenged historians documenting participation of this group of Latinos. The AEF’s 36th Division, nicknamed the “Lone Star Division,” and the 90th Division, nicknamed the “Tough ‘Ombres” [‘Ombres for “Hombres” in Spanish meaning “men”] offer researchers rich material to construct histories and collective biographies of Tejano participants." continue reading...

"General Richard E. Cavazos: The Mexican-American general has garnered too many accolades to list all at once, but most notably, he became the first Brigadier General in 1976 and the first HispanicFour-Star General in 1982. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, where he received the Silver Star and two Distinguished Service Crosses. General Cavazos served in the Army for 33 years till retiring in 1984." continue reading...