Rick Chavez

Heroes in Action Rick Chavez

In the case of the 1940s-era Latino soldiers, their social standing was on a level no higher than the segregated blacks living in America's Deep South. The emergence of the Latino GIs as battlefield heroes, exemplified by a lengthy list of Medal of Honor recipients, is still mostly a footnote of World War II. This book profiles a group of Latino men who left their humble homes in California, not necessarily to fight the Germans or Japanese or out of extreme patriotism, but more practically, to discover a way out of the poverty, discrimination and hopelessness that their families called life. Despite their rampant mistreatment by the government and the white majority, many ethnic minorities showed a surprising desire to participate in the war effort. Thanks to the gentlemen profiled in this tribute and thousands of their brave and dedicated comrades, it's clear that the Latino fighting man was every bit as capable and loyal to his country-in many cases, more so. Collectively, this group of heroes left a legacy that all Americans can point to as an example of liberty through the ultimate sacrifice.