Email   Print   Share By Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General

Facebook Digg Delicious September 20, 2012 | Editorial

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the history, culture and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.

As members of the military, it is also a time that we can reflect on the many and great contributions of Americans of Hispanic descent have made to our Armed Forces. At our nation's inception, troops from Spain, Mexico and the Caribbean region were instrumental at defeating British forces along the Gulf of Mexico during the Revolutionary War.

During the War for Texas Independence, at the Alamo, perhaps the most famous battle of the war, a number of Hispanics fought alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, defending the Alamo to the death against the numerically superior Mexican Gen. Santa Anna's army.

Like other ethnic groups of Americans during the Civil War, Hispanics were divided in their loyalties, fighting heroically for both the Union and Confederate armies. The best-known Hispanic during the war was Adm. David Farragut, who commanded Union naval forces during the battle at Mobile Bay, Ala. The first Medal of Honor awarded to a Hispanic Soldier also occurred during the Civil War. Corporal Joseph DeCastro was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during his regiment's attack and repulse of elements of Pickett's Charge on the Third Day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Several thousand Hispanic volunteers, mostly from the southwestern United States, fought with distinction in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War. Some 200,000 Hispanics were mobilized for World War I. Many served with great distinction, including Nicholas Lucero, who was awarded France's medal for bravery in combat, the Croix de Guerre.

About half a million Hispanics served during World War II. Gen. Douglas MacArthur called the Arizona National Guard's 158th Infantry Regiment 'Bushmasters,' 'One of the greatest fighting combat teams ever deployed for battle.' The regiment was comprised of many Hispanic Soldiers. During the Korean War approximately 150,000 Hispanics served in the war, many earning awards for valor, from Bronze Star Medals to Medals of Honor. Among the notables is Gen. Richard E. Cavazos, who served with the 65th Infantry Regiment in Korea and later in Vietnam. He is also a former III Corps Commander here at the Great Place and became the Army�s first Hispanic four-star general.

Approximately 80,000 Hispanics served with distinction in Vietnam, from the Battle for Hue City to the Siege of Khe Sanh. In total, seven Hispanic Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

A Hispanic Soldier who achieved considerable success was Louis Caldera, a Hispanic who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1978. He subsequently served in the Army and became secretary of the Army in 1998.

Today, thousands of Hispanic American young men and women continue to make extraordinary contributions in all facets of our military and our Army. Hispanic Americans have answered the "Call to Duty" of our nation since the Revolutionary War and continue to answer the call to this day. Fort Hood will be holding our Hispanic Heritage Observance Friday, at Howze Auditorium, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. I encourage everyone to come out and support this wonderful event.

Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!