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Author Gutierrez, Dave, author.

Title Patriots from the Barrio : the story of Company E, 141st Infantry : the only all Mexican American Army unit in World War II / Dave Gutierrez.

Publication Info. Yardley : Westholme, [2018]
©2008

Copies

Location Call No. Status
 Wethersfield Public Library - New Books  NEW 940.5404 GUTIERREZ    Check Shelf
Description xvii, 260 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portrats ; 24 cm
Note "An earlier version of this book was published by the author in 2014"--Title page verso.
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-244) and index.
Contents Mexico -- Repatriation -- Children of the barrio -- The Tejano army -- Combat training -- Camp Edwards, Massachusetts -- North Africa -- Avalanche -- Salerno the first D-Day -- The iron monsters -- Altavilla -- Dreadful Mount Rotondo -- Deadly 88s -- San Pietro -- Patrolling the rapido -- River of death -- Above and beyond -- Monte Cassino -- The road to Rome -- The return -- Veterans of Company E -- Epilogue.
Summary As a child, Dave Gutierrez hung on every word his father recalled about his cousin Ramon, "El Sancudo" (the mosquito), and his service in World War II, where he earned a Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, and escaped from the Germans twice. Later, Dave decided to find out more about his father's cousin, and in the course of his research he discovered that Ramon Gutierrez was a member of Company E, 141st Infantry, a part of the 36th "Texas" Division that was comprised entirely of Mexican American enlisted men--the only such unit in the US Army. The division landed at Salerno in 1943, among first American soldiers to set foot in Europe. In the ensuing months, Company E and the rest of the 36th would battle their way up the mountainous Italian peninsula against some of Nazi Germany's best troops. In addition to the merciless rain, mud, and jagged peaks, swift cold rivers crisscrossed the region, including the Rapido, where Company E would face its greatest challenge. In an infamous episode, the 36th Division was ordered to cross the Rapido despite reports that the opposite bank was heavily defended. In the ensuing debacle, the division was ripped apart, and Company E sustained appalling casualties. The company rebounded and helped Allied forces break out of Anzio to capture Rome, and ultimately invaded Southern France for a final push into Germany. The men of Company E distinguished themselves as rugged fighters capable of warring amid the rubble of destroyed villages and in the devastated countryside. Based on extensive archival research and veteran and family accounts, Patriots from the Barrio: The Story of Company E, 141st Infantry: The Only All Mexican American Army Unit in World War II brings to life the soldiers whose service should never have gone unrecognized for so long. With its memorable personalities, stories of hope and immigration, and riveting battle scenes, this beautifully written book is a testament to the shared beliefs of all who have fought for the ideals of the American flag"--Publisher's description.
Subject United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 141st.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, Mexican American.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Mexican Americans -- Personal narratives.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Mexican Americans -- Interviews.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Veterans -- United States -- Interviews.
Mexican Americans -- Interviews.
United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 141st. (OCoLC)fst00788740
Mexican Americans. (OCoLC)fst01019072
Military participation -- Mexican American. (OCoLC)fst01353739
Veterans. (OCoLC)fst01165710
United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
World War (1939-1945) (OCoLC)fst01180924
Chronological Term 1939-1945
Genre/Form interviews.
Interviews. (OCoLC)fst01423832
Personal narratives. (OCoLC)fst01423843
Interviews.
Personal narratives.
Added Title Story of Company E, 141st Infantry
ISBN 9781594162992 (hardcover)
1594162999 (hardcover)
9781594163289 (paperback)
1594163286 (paperback)
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