World War II

Stories with interview subjects from our World War II collection. Browse all stories to see subjects across all Voces collections.

Displaying 251 - 300 of 649
Subject Collection Story Interviewed by

Gonzalo Garza

Gonzalo Garza  

World War II

By Jennifer Gallo

Gonzalo Garza's commitment to the Marines Corps began with the recruiting pamphlet. Of the five principles dubbed as "pillars" for that institution, Garza was particularly serious about using education as a guide after...

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Juan Campos

Alejandro Paiz Garza

Alejandro Paiz Garza  

World War II

By Cheryl Smith Kemp

When Alejandro P. Garza got called up for the war, he was working in a Houston shipyard as a welder. Garza was 18, and, the year before, had dropped out of A.C. Jones High School in his hometown of Beeville, Texas, to...

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Martin Montez

Guadalupe I. Garza

Guadalupe I. Garza  

World War II

By Melanie Jarrett

By the time World War II ended, Guadalupe Garza had traveled hostile roads through French Morocco, Spanish Morocco, Algiers, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Gibraltar, Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany and...

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Domingo Marquez

Moises Garza

Moises Garza  

World War II

By Ismael Martinez


Moises Garza enjoyed the simple farm life of La Joya, Texas. Born Sept. 4, 1924, he grew up by a river and enjoyed fishing and hunting deer and ducks. Garza remembers huge family gatherings where they cooked food...

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Yudith Vargas

Jose Guadalupe Garza

Jose Guadalupe Garza  

World War II

By Liliana Martinez

When Jose Guadalupe Garza was in the 9th grade in Brownsville, Texas, in 1937, his Anglo teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up.

"I told her I wanted to be a lawyer, but she told me that I wanted to...

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Ms. Vanesa Salinas

Benigno Gaytan

Benigno Gaytan  

World War II

By Melissa Mendoza

“Most of my friends, they say, ‘Let’s join the Navy,’” said Benigno “Tony” Gaytan, when asked why he signed up for the Armed Forces during World War II.

“I said, ‘OK.’”

At 17, Gaytan was working as a stock...

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Amanda Peña

Narciso Gil

Narciso Gil - Voces Oral History Project  

World War II

By Andy Valdez

The Gil family story is one of overcoming the Great Depression, discrimination and one of service: four of the Gil brothers would answer their country's call to arms.

Paul, Simón, Narciso and Otis would bear arms...

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Andrea Valdez

Otis Gil

Otis Gil - Voces Oral History Project  

World War II

By Andy Valdez

The Gil family story is one of overcoming the Great Depression and discrimination, as well as one of service, as three of the four Gil brothers would answer their country's call to arms.

Paul, Narciso and Otis would...

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Andrea Valdez

Paul Gil

Paul Gil - Voces Oral History Project  

World War II

By Andy Valdez

The Gil family story is one of overcoming the Great Depression and discrimination, as well as one of service, as three of the four Gil brothers would answer their country's call to arms.

Paul, Narciso and Otis would...

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Andrea Valdez

Pete Gil

Pete Gil - Voces Oral History Project  

World War II

By Andy Valdez

The Gil family story is one of overcoming the Great Depression and discrimination, as well as one of service, as three of the four Gil brothers would answer their country's call to arms.

Paul, Narciso and Otis would...

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Andrea Valdez

Emiliano Espinosa Gimeno

Emiliano Gimeno - Voces Oral History Project - World War II collection  

World War II

By Brandon Fields, St. Bonaventure University

Emiliano E. Gimeno remembers that when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese, he initially did not realize how the event would change his life.

Born in El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 24, 1921...

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Joseph Padilla

Fred Gomez

 

World War II

By Wesley Monier

To fulfill a promise made many years ago to a young soldier friend killed in battle, Ferdinand “Fred” Gomez named his oldest son Raymond. The two men vowed that if one of them died, the other one would name his first son...

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William Luna

Marcus Lopez Gomez

 

World War II

By Otto Smith-Goeke

Marcus Lopez Gomez has seen many forms of racial discrimination and difficult economic times throughout his life. As a veteran of World War II, Gomez's war experiences, family-oriented perspective and emphasis on work...

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Rene Zambrano

Mike C Gomez

Mike C Gomez  

World War II

By Christine Powers

"I had a bitter taste in my mouth when I learned both my sons were drafted for Vietnam," said World War II veteran Mike Gomez.

He leaned forward in his seat, paused for a second and then emphasized: "A bitter taste...

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Ricardo Pimentel

Graciano Gomez

Graciano Gomez  - Voces Oral History Project  

World War II

By Edwin de la Torre

Experiences change lives forever, and for Graciano Gomez, serving during World War II was the experience he said opened his eyes and mind to a greater picture. After his service he returned with new goals and a greater...

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Henry Mendoza

Johnnie Ramos Gonsalez

Johnnie Gonsalez  

World War II

By Alyson Espino

Johnnie Gonsalez can't recall much of his time serving in the military, but he remembers how grateful he was to make it back home alive.

Born in the small city of Florence, Kansas, Gonsalez grew up with three brothers...

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Tella Garcia

Seferino Nino Gonzales

 

World War II

By Diana Pena

Sitting in front of a disassembled cuckoo clock, Seferino Nino Gonzales’ demeanor gave little hint that he was a veteran of at least two wars, which he described as a “very pleasant experience.”

At the time of his...

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Raquel Garza

Armando E. Gonzales

Armando E. Gonzales  

World War II

By Dionicia Rivera

Lying in a cold stream with a bullet wound to his chest, Armando E. Gonzales felt his body getting weaker. Surrounded by the enemy in the Aleutian Islands, Gonzales had been shot by a sniper; he thought his life was over...

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Jennifer Kelleher

Abelardo Martinez Gonzales

Abelardo Gonzales with his two sisters in San Antonio, TX.  

World War II

By Trinidad Aguirre

A paratrooper and medical corpsman for the 507th Airborne Regiment, Abelardo M. Gonzales fought in World War II using bandages instead of bullets, tourniquets instead of bayonets.

Gonzales recalled his combat...

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Trinidad Tito Aguirre

Norman Gonzales

Norman Gonzales  

World War II

By Emiko Fitzgerald

It wasn't until he went for his physical, after being drafted in October of 1942, that Lufkin, Texas, native Norman Gonzales realized he was blind in one eye. However, that didn’t stop Gonzales from serving in the...

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Mr. Paul Rodriguez Zepeda

Pablo B. Gonzales

 

World War II

By Christine Pev

On Dec. 7, 1941, 20-year-old Pablo Gonzales heard on the radio in his hometown of Sabinal, Texas, that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, and he immediately wanted to enlist in the military to help defend his country....

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Jeffery K. Wantanabe

Agapito Casarez Gonzalez

Agapito Casarez Gonzalez  

World War II

By Erika L. Martinez

When Agapito Casarez Gonzalez was drafted into the Army on June 2, 1942, he never imagined the horrors and devastation his eyes would have to see.

"The draft got me," Gonzalez said.

And even though his...

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Mary L. Nieves

Carmen R. Gonzalez

Carmen R. Gonzalez  

World War II

By Anthony Sobotik

Carmen Gonzalez has shouldered his responsibilities with grace

Gonzalez was milking cows at a neighbor's farm to help support his family by the time he was 12. And during World War II, he did his duty on the...

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Nicole Cruz

Encarnacion A. Gonzalez

 

World War II

By DIONICIA RIVERA

Lying in a cold stream with a bullet wound to his chest, Encarnacion Armando Gonzales felt his body getting weaker and thought his life was over. Surrounded by the enemy in the Aleutian Islands, he had been shot by a...

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Jennifer Sinco Kelleher

Ernest George Gonzalez

Ernest and Maddy Gonzales (wife) in 1999 at age 75.  

World War II

By Corina Kellam

Before the births of his son and three daughters, before trying his hand at professional golf training and real estate, Ernie Gonzalez was a naval engineer.

Gonzalez attended Oatman Grammar School in Arizona first...

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Rene Zambrano

Julian Gonzalez

Julian Gonzales as a Sergeant in WWII in 1945. Photo taken in San Antonio, TX.  

World War II

By Veronica Sainz

Raised with 11 sisters, four brothers and two pet javelinas in the small town of Chapin, Texas, no one could have guessed that Julian Gonzalez would become a decorated veteran of the Normandy invasion.

Gonzalez...

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Telesfora Barbara Gonzales Gonzalez

Telesfora Barbara Gonzales Gonzalez  

World War II

By Emily Cox

Florence Gonzales Gonzalez set a strong example for her siblings and coworkers throughout her life with her hard work and efforts toward perfection.

“I became a Mrs. how-you-do-it,” said Gonzalez, recalling how she...

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Raquel C. Garza

Norberto M Gonzalez

Norberto M Gonzalez  

World War II

By Catherine Mathieson

Contrasts have defined Norberto Gonzalez's life.

Gonzalez appreciates the opportunities the United States has offered him; he came here because he saw none in the tiny Cuban village where he was born.

...

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Erika Martinez

Julian L. Gonzalez

Julian L. Gonzalez  

World War II

By Raquel C. Garza

Julian L. Gonzalez didn’t walk the stage during the Thomas A. Edison graduation ceremonies in May of 1944. Instead, his father walked the stage in his place.

"It was announced that I wasn't there, that [my father]...

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Veronica Franco

Roberto Gonzalez

Roberto Gonzalez  

World War II

By Beth Nottingham

Roberto Gonzalez had a Sunday tradition of listening to news about World War II on a big old radio in the living room with his dad, Catarino Gonzalez. Little did he know that his love of radio would be his ticket to...

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Kevin Bales

Evelio Grillo

Evelio Grillo  

World War II

By Lindsay Graham

Raised in Ybor City, a Cuban neighborhood inside Tampa, Fla., Evelio Grillo attended black segregated schools and grew up with black role models.

"Black Cubans were closer to black Americans and white Cubans were...

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Mario Barrera

Joe M. Guajardo

Joe Guajardo  

World War II

Tribute provided by Grace Charles, daughter of Joe Medina Guajardo.

After two years of separation during World War II, U.S. Army soldier Joe Medina Guajardo was reunited by chance in Australia with his cousin, Juan Sanchez.

They...

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Elias Guajardo

portrait of Jesse Guajardo.  

World War II

By Kristen Henry

Deep blue, purple, coral. Even 60 years after Jesse Guajardo served in the Navy the colors of the seas and oceans he traveled still strike him.

"I went to the Pacific, the Pacific is blue," Guajardo reminisced at his...

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Kristin Henry

Juventino Guerra

Juventino Guerra  

World War II

BY Juliana Torres

Raised in small towns and on ranches, Juventino Guerra never went far from home. Then WWII opened new opportunities to travel and learn other perspectives. He enlisted on Jan. 8, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas. Initially, he...

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Markel Rojas

Henry Martinez Guerra

Henry Martinez Guerra  

World War II

By Lindsay Fitzpatrick

From the fields of west Texas to the beaches of Normandy, Henry Guerra has fought adverse conditions to succeed. He spent much of his young life under the scorching Texas sun, picking cotton, spinach and radishes,...

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Brenda Sendejo

Roberto Guerra

 

World War II

By Lizette Romero

Roberto Guerra had a deep pride: pride in his military service in World War II; of his unit, which distinguished itself in Europe; of the many medals he earned for his actions; and of the woman who saw beyond his injuries...

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Mario J. Cruz

Rafael Guerra

Rafael Guerra  

World War II

By Nikki Muñoz

Rafael A. Guerra has always had an optimistic outlook on life, relying on an affirmation for help through life's rough spots, including his tour of duty: "If the sun comes out today, it is going to shine on me; if it doesn't...

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Nicole Cruz

Antonia Medina Guerrero

Antonia Medina Guerrero  

World War II

By Melanie Kudzia

"Go to school, and not only that, pay attention!"

This is one bit of advice Ignacio and Antonia Guerrero passed on to their children and grandchildren. They insist on their family attending school, working hard and...

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Juan Marinez

Ignacio Guerrero

Ignacio Guerrero  

World War II

By Melanie Kudzia

"Go to school, and not only that, pay attention!"

This is one bit of advice Ignacio and Antonia Guerrero passed on to their children and grandchildren. They insist on their family attending school, working hard and...

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Juan Marinez

Delfino Jose Guerrero

 

World War II

By Cheryl Smith Kemp

For World War II veteran Delfino Guerrero, who grew up in the urban jungle of Chicago during The Great Depression, three of the big “musts” in life were speak Spanish at home, English at school and the Boys Club; run...

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William Luna

Carlos Guzman Guerrero

 

World War II

By Antonio Gilb

Over half a century after it happened, Carlos Guerrero remembers the incident in May 1945 clearly - because of what it symbolized about America's racial tensions, as well as because of what it said about how communication...

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Antonio Gilb

Victoria Partida Guerrero

Victoria Partida Guerrero  

World War II

By Christa Desimone

She remembers the telephone call like it was yesterday. A man had rushed into the office where she was working in May of 1946, yelling to her that she had a phone call waiting for her across the street.

Victoria...

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Elizabeth Aguirre

Andrew Guzman

 

World War II

By David Muto

When Andrew E. Guzman tried to enlist in the Marines at 18, he was turned away and told to wait for the draft.

With remorse...

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Jessica Marie Thomas

Consuelo Mary Hartsell

Consuelo Mary Hartsell - Voces Oral History Project  

World War II

By the Voces staff

Consuelo Hartsell grew up in Rawlins, Wyoming, in the only Latino family in a small town where the neighbors included Scandinavians, Greeks, Japanese and one African-American family. It was not until her last year of...

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Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez

Estella Zaragoza Hernandez

Estela Hernandez was interviewed by the Voces Oral History Project at the Hazard Park Armory in Los Angeles, CA on June 7, 2010.  

World War II

By Ashley Nelcy Garcia

For Estella Zaragoza Hernandez, working in the fields under the sizzling California sun as a young girl was not much more than a child’s game.

It was part of her life, growing up as the youngest of six children...

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Valerie Martinez

John S Hernandez

John Hernandez (left)  

World War II

By Allison Harris

Even at almost 90 years old, World War II veteran John S. Hernandez can recall the challenges facing him on his first day of kindergarten at Belvedere Elementary School in Los Angeles.

"My mother couldn't speak...

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Nicole Cruz

Joe Hernandez

Joe Hernandez  

World War II

By Caleb Pritchard

During his 22 months in the Army Air Forces, Joe Hernandez survived a remarkable 35 bombing missions in World War II Europe as the top turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber.

Hernandez remembered how he and...

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Brenda Sendejo

Candelario Hernandez

Portrait of Candelario Hernandez.  

World War II

By Lucinda Guinn

Candelario Hernandez' family moved to East Austin in 1931 from Seguin, Texas. The only time he left East Austin since then, was during World War II, when he served the United States Army in New Guinea.

"I've been in...

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Lucinda Guinn

Agustin Louis Hernandez

Agustin Louis Hernandez  

World War II

By Connor Higgins

Agusti¬n Louis Hernandez's life has been one of service: to his country as an engineer/gunner on a B-24, to his community as a firefighter and lawman for 37 years, and to his family as a husband and father.

And as a...

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Mr. Paul Rodriguez Zepeda

Emma Villareal Hernandez

Emma Villareal Hernandez  

World War II

By Adrienne M. Cody

One needn't go further than Emma Hernandez’s own family, well-known in their community of Pharr, Texas, for their humanitarian efforts, to understand why she has devoted her life to civic service.

Hernandez’s...

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Gary Villereal