Pentagon
Hosts Salute to Hispanic World War II Veterans
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2004 –- Today's generation of
Hispanic-Americans owes much to the brave veterans who went before them
for paving their way and setting a standard, several Defense Department
officials said here today to kick off Hispanic American Heritage Month.
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World War II Army veteran Ignacio Servin says
he volunteered for a dangerous mission to prove to his commander and
fellow soldiers that Hispanics are brave and willing to die for the
United States of America. Servin attended a
Pentagon ceremony honoring Hispanic World War II veterans Sept. 15 to
kick off Hispanic American Heritage Month. Photo by Sgt. Adam R.
Mancini, USA
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution
image available.
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"At a time of great trial, you give the country more
strength," Air Force Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve
Affairs Michael L. Dominguez said during a ceremony in the Pentagon
saluting such veterans. "Your stories and your accomplishments now
inspire us … as we confront this new enemy."
Dominguez directed his comments directly to a group of nine Hispanic
World War II veterans in attendance. "The inspiration from your
stories and your example guides us and motivates us," he said.
"Particularly as we go into this conflict now as a nation, it's
(your) strength that gives us power that's unmatched by the enemy and, in
fact, incomprehensible to the enemy."
Dominguez's sentiments were repeated in speeches throughout the
ceremony. Another Air Force official, Michael Montelongo,
assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller, said
today's Americans have "these heroes, these warriors, these
patriots" to thank for the liberties and freedoms enjoyed here
today.
"You've paved the way for today's heroes -- heroes of Iraqi
Freedom, heroes of Enduring Freedom, heroes of America," Montelongo told the men, who were wearing an
assortment of uniform items, medals, patches and caps that made them
readily identifiable as veterans.
Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of 5th Corps in Germany and former commander of Combined
Joint Task Force 7 in Iraq,
said the veterans "exemplify the spirit of our heritage."
Hispanic veterans were at the core of some of America's most heroic campaigns and
battles, Sanchez, the highest-ranking Hispanic in the U.S.
military, said. "Their records are impeccable," he said, adding
that honoring them helps set a standard for today's Hispanic youth to
live up to.
"As members of this great generation, you have established that
standard that will be difficult for us to maintain," Sanchez said.
"But the young Hispanics of today are working very, very hard to
ensure that we don't fail you."
To Andres Gallegos, one veteran present, today's young men and women
have already met the standard. Gallegos served in the Army in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. When he
spoke today, he said he was taken aback by being called part of the
greatest generation.
"The greatest generation? No," he said, to instant applause.
"The greatest generation is now."
Several other veterans captivated the crowd with stories of their
service. Guy Gabaldon, a former Marine whose
Japanese language skills helped him capture at least 1,000 Japanese
soldiers during his service in the Pacific, got a great laugh when he
said it only took one Japanese person to capture him, as he pointed out
his Japanese wife.
But Gabaldon grew serious when telling the
story of another Hispanic Marine he met briefly in Japan
during World War II. Alfredo -- Gabaldon said
he never found out his last name -- was determined to take out an enemy
position in a former Japanese police station. And he did so, although it
ended up being a suicide mission.
"He went up over the edge of this gully," Gabaldon said, recalling Alfredo's actions. "We
all hollered, 'Get down! Hit the deck, you crazy bastard!' There was
nothing he could possibly do.
"He threw his M-1 (rifle) down and grabbed a grenade off his
belt, pulled the pin and held onto the spoon and kept running toward the
enemy position," he continued. "They just chopped him down. He
fell; the spoon (came) off and blew his arm off. He was dead by
then."
Gabaldon said this was typical of the
Hispanic Marines he had served with. "He gave his life for two other
Marines," Gabaldon said, before
apologizing unnecessarily for boring the crowd.
When it was his turn to make remarks, Frank Medina, a former corporal
in the Army Air Corps, stood up and said he wanted to "thank the
good Lord for making me a Latino." When the cheers quieted down, Medina explained
that his ability to speak Spanish had allowed him to communicate with
friendly Italians who helped him avoid capture for eight months behind
enemy lines.
Medina was an aircrew member on a B-24
that was shot down over Italy.
He was the only crewmember to evade capture. "So you see," he
said. "There's an advantage to being a Latino."
Ignacio Servin, still trim and wearing his
tan uniform, was all business as he explained why he had volunteered to
blow up an ammunition-storage site 61 years earlier, an act his commander
later said saved the lives of hundreds of soldiers and Marines.
"I didn't do it with the intention of getting a medal," he
said, though the act earned him a Silver Star for gallantry in action.
"I did it to show my commanding officer and my fellow soldiers that Hispanics
are brave (and) they're willing to sacrifice their lives for the United States of America."
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Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of 5th
Corps, greets World War II veteran Raymond P. Alvarado as fellow
veteran Osvaldo Diaz- Espada
looks on, at a Pentagon ceremony honoring Hispanic World War II
veterans Sept. 15. Photo by Sgt. Adam R. Mancini, USA
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High resolution photo
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Marine veteran Guy Gabaldon
wows the crowd with his impromptu comedy and his tales of valor from World
War II at a Pentagon ceremony honoring Hispanic World War II veterans
Sept. 15. Photo by Sgt. Adam R. Mancini, USA
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High resolution photo
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World War II Army veteran Andres Gallegos tells the
crowd at a Pentagon ceremony honoring Hispanic World War II veterans
Sept. 15 that he believes today's young servicemembers
are truly the greatest generation. Photo by Sgt. Adam R. Mancini, USA
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COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
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