Latinos in the military: service, representation, and experiences

Latinos in Military

From the Spanish allies during the American Revolution War, to the Tejanos marching off to World War I, to the distinguished service in World War II, to the Borinqueneers and the 65th Regimental Combat Team from Puerto Rico in the Korean War and to those who are fighting valiantly in today's war in Iraq, Latinos have served the U.S. proudly and well. Yet, they have never received the recognition so deserved.

Bernardo de Galvez, for whom Galvaston, Texas was named, became governor of the Louisiana territory and attacked the British fort at Pensacola. A year later in 1781, he entirely seized the installation from the enemy (Fontana 927). Jorge Farragut, a Spaniard who battled in both the Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812, had his legacy continued by his son, Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, recognized as the Civil War's best-known Hispanic.

As a Union Army officer, David Farragut blocked Southern ports and was made Rear Admiral by Congress as a reward him for his bravery and support. During the Civil War, a number of new weapons were introduced. This included a new type of torpedo, a landmine that floated under water, which led to Farragut's well-known quote in Mobile Bay: "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!" (Wright 97). During the Civil War, three Hispanic-Americans also earned

Congressional Medals of Honor, the first time that decoration, the highest military honor bestowed by the U.S., was awarded. Although many Mexican-Americans were divided as were the Americans during this war, by the end of the war nearly 10,000 had served in regular Army or volunteer units. In addition, many Cubans, who continually shipped back and forth between the mainland and their home, also fought in the war, serving in both the Union and Confederate armies.

During the Spanish-American War, large numbers of Latinos, primarily Mexican-Americans, served in the armed forces, despite considerable prejudice and discrimination. These negative feelings continued into WWI. Although the Mexican-American culture was increasingly being integrated into the American, primary Texan, culture, their culture was still seen as an alien and suspect element (Mac Donald 149) Mexican immigrants' allegiances were even viewed more mistrusting than those of the African-Americans, which does not say much. In an editorial discussing Texas' recent mass exodus of African-Americans, the Austin American commented:

As much as many differ on the colored question, yet the fact is quite apparent that Texas is far better off with these 100,000 negroes than with the 100,000 Mexicans whom it will be necessary to bring in to take their places. These negroes have been born in Texas of parents who were born in Texas and have a sense of fealty, interest and pride in this state that no Mexican will have. (noted in Mac Donald 149).

As a result, the Mexican-Americans kept a low profile during WWI and were hesitant to stage any public displays of ethnic cohesion and distinctiveness. For instance, the September 1917 celebration of Mexican Independence, was marketed as a Red Cross fundraising event, and the celebration of Cinco De Mayo was postponed for the duration of the War. (Mac Donald 150).

During World War II, the ranks of Latinos in the U.S. Armed Forces swelled to more than 400,000, a higher percentage than any other minority. Puerto Ricans had the second largest number of wartime casualties after the Hawaiians (Rodgriguez 40). There were approximately 65,000 Puerto Rican troops, including 200 who served in the Women's Army Corps. Discrimination continued in this war, as well. The Department of Defense classified non-black Hispanics as Caucasians and black or dark skinned Hispanics as African-Americans, as a result official statistics recognizing Hispanic contributions in World War II are not available. Do to the lack of documentation, Hispanics' contributions are rarely found in history books.

During WWII, Mexican-Americans had the highest percentage of Congressional Medal of Honor winners of any minority. One of the most serious incidents of discrimination occurred in the Zoot-Suit Riots of Los Angeles. The incident received its name from the type of clothing, known as a "zoot suit," worn by many young Mexican-Americans of the early 1940s. In the summer of 1943, a dispute between a Mexican-American and an Anglo erupted into widespread rioting. Anglo members of the armed forces were soon joined by civilians in a spree of attacking and beating Mexican-Americans wherever they were found (Samora and Simon 16).