World War II Honoree

Antonio Garcia

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE WAS SWORN INTO THE ARMY ON NOVEMBER 21, 1942 AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP FANNIN, HE RECEIVED ADDITIONAL INFANTRY TRAINING IN THE USE OF SMALL ARMS. HE WAS THEN SHIPPED OUT TO NEW YORK CITY ONBOARD THE HMS QUEEN MARY FOR TRANSPORTATION TO ENGLAND. HE LANDED AT SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND AND ATTENDED ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR THE INVASION OF EUROPE. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO C COMPANY, 301ST INFANTRY. ON JUNE 6, HE BOARDED ONE OF THE MANY LSTS BOUND FOR THE SHORES OF NORMANDY. HE LANDED AT NORMANDY'S OMAHA BEACH, AND PROCEEDED INLAND THROUGH ST. LO, PARITICPATING IN BATTLES ALONG THE WAY. HE FOUGHT NOVEMBER TO JANUARY, IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE WHERE HE HAD TO OVERCOME THE COLD AND THE ONSLAUGHT OF GERMAN FORCES WHO WERE WELL EQUIPPED FOR THE WEATHER. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE 94TH INFANTRY DIVISION AS A RADAR CREWMAN. DURING ONE BATTLE, HE RESCUED HIS COMPANY COMMANDER AND ENGAGED IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT SAVING THE LIVES OF MANY OF HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS. HE WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART FOR THIS OPERATION. AT THE END OF THE WAR HE WAS TRANSFERRED BACK TO NEW YORK CITY ON A TROOP TRANSPORT BOUND FOR FORT SAM HOUSTON WERE HE WAS DISCHARGED. DURING THIS TOUR HE RECEIVED THE AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE STARS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND BRONZE STAR FOR CONDUCT WHILE UNDER FIRE.