Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
California
Honored By
His Entire Family
SERVED AS A 101ST AIRBORNE PARATROOPER. HE JUMPED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY. CAPTURED AND MISTAKEN AS JEWISH; TAKEN TO DACHAU RATHER THAN A POW CAMP. TRIED TO TELL THE GERMAN OFFICERS THAT HE WAS NOT JEWISH BUT MEXICAN. AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO THE CRUELTY OF THE GERMAN OFFICERS HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO CONVINCE ONE THAT HE REALLY WAS FROM CALIFORNIA AND WAS THEN TAKEN TO A POW CAMP. HE WAS NEVER THE SAME AFTER WITNESSING THE HORRORS OF THE DEATH CAMPS.