Title: Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with 5 Stories of Hispanic American Military Heroes · United Service Organizations
Headings: Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with 5 Stories of Hispanic American Military Heroes
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with 5 Stories of Hispanic American Military Heroes
By Danielle DeSimone
1. Marcelino Serna
2. Joe P. Martínez
3. Carmen Contreras-Bozak
4. Angel Mendez
5. Richard Edward Cavazos

Content: He settled in Texas where he worked illegally for several years until federal authorities detained him to verify his war draft status. Despite being a Mexican citizen, and to show his dedication to becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen, Serna begged the officials to allow him to enlist in the U.S. Army, rather than deport him. At the time, the horrific conditions of the trenches of World War I were common knowledge. Consequently, volunteers to enlist were not always easy to come by. Impressed by Serna’s offer, the federal officials allowed him to join the Army. After basic training, Serna was shipped off to Europe, but once he arrived Army officials realized Serna was Mexican, not American, and offered to discharge him. Serna refused and insisted on serving. While engaged with the enemy in France, Serna noticed a wounded German sniper and followed him back to his trench, where Serna threw three grenades, killing 26 enemy soldiers and capturing 24 more. Later, Gen. John J. Pershing awarded him with the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest U.S. military decoration. He was the first Hispanic American to receive the Distinguished Service Cross.