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: Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with 5 Stories of Hispanic American Military Heroes · United Service Organizations
Home
Stories
Monday, Sep 14, 2020
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with 5 Stories of Hispanic American Military Heroes
By Danielle DeSimone
Throughout U.S. history, Hispanic Americans have served proudly and bravely in all branches of our nation’s military. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 - October 15, the USO is taking a moment to highlight the incredible courage and valor of five Hispanic Americans who put their duty before themselves. 1. Marcelino Serna
Marcelino Serna, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who insisted on serving in the U.S. Army in World War I. He returned home as the most decorated soldier from Texas. | Photo credit The Daily Morning Oasis
In search of work and a better life, Marcelino Serna emigrated from Mexico into the U.S. in 1916, when he was just 20 years old. 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.