Mexican Americans in World War I and World War II - Research Paper Example

?Mexican Americans in World War I and World War II This research paper involves the contributions of a distinguished community known as Mexican Americans living in United States of American for many years. The whole paper, basically, emphasize the participation of this ethnic group especially in wartime. Mexican Americans have been serving US for many years. Historically, they were not only the part of glowing days but also shared the hard time of US in World War I and World War II. This community won several Medals for their services and left behind the foot prints on the sand of time. Introduction United Sates of America is an amazing blend of different cultures. The demographic profile is very diverse having multi-cultural and multi-lingual identities. These identities generally include Hispanic and Latino Americans, American Indians, Asian, Black or African Americans and other Pacific Islanders. In United States, Mexican Americans basically involve those inhabitants living in America having Mexican Descent. This ethnic group makes up 16.3% of the total population of United States in 2010. Mexican Americans include 66% Hispanic and Latinos as well. United States is considered the second largest home for this community. A great portion of this community also resides in Canada. In 2008 there were about 7 million Mexican Americans who were undocumented but living in United States. Most of these people are the successors of native Mexicans. Some also belong to Europeans especially the Spaniards. The history of this ethnic group is wide ranging. It is round about four hundred years old. The history varies from one region to another. In the early 1900, there were so many Hispanics residing in New Mexico, Texas and California. Most of them were the successors of native Mexican, European and Spanish settlers. These settlers arrived to this region during Spanish colonial periods. So, the lineage of Mexican Americans can be traced back to early settlers of the colonial periods. History of Mexican Americans’ Contribution to US Cause It is the history of Mexican Americans that they always served United States especially in war conditions. When we look at history, we can observe that in 1861 when civil conflicts erupted in America, the Mexican Americans predominantly those situated in Texas at that time served directly or indirectly for the betterment of US. They also worked and participated voluntarily in Union Army and several other units. 10,000 personnel also served in the regular army. This ethnic group always showed extraordinary commitment and horsemanship. To facilitate their efforts, the US government had also set up four companies to utilize maximum from their services. Medal of Honors were also established by the government to facilitate those who risk their lives for their country. Hispanic and Mexican Americans received these honors for their commendable services in Civil War. Till 1898, the two previously mentioned ethnic groups scattered across the country as regular army officers and created a small, yet professional composition of personnel. Mexican Americans: Great Contributors to America’s Defense History reveals the truth that there were several Mexican Americans who served in First and Second World War with great devotion. Not only men but women also participated equally. Many men and women served in armed forces with their maximum possible dedication and loyalty. John P. Schmal writes about the publication of Defense Department. This publication declared “when our country has been in need, Hispanic Americans have had more than their share of stouthearted, indomitable men. Their intrepid actions have been in the highest tradition- a credit to themselves, their ancestry, and our nation.” So, Mexican Americans were the people who had greatly risked their lives to save and combat United States. While talking about American men during World War II, Richard Santillan mentioned that Mexican American clearly distinguished during combats for United States. They were so devoted and loyal to the cause of their country. It is generally estimated that there were five hundred thousand Mexican Americans who directly participated in World War II. Not only men but women also participated and this community faced unforeseen pain and immeasurable hardship during war times. Many warriors of this ethic group have been killed or gravely wounded in battlefields. Their families also faced physical separation from loved ones. Yet their morale was high for the survival of their country. Just because of their contributions, this ethnic group also received several rewards from the government. They formally got a chance to become US citizens. They were also insisted by the government to purchase homes and learn skills in order to become a permanent part of skilled labor serving industries and military. These opportunities put forward a wave of activism in Mexican Americans. Mexican Americans and World War I In World War I, round about 200,000 Hispanic were assembled out of which the bulk being Mexican- Americans. These Mexican Americans were inducted throughout the armed forces and most of them were inducted to serve for infantry regiments. The main installations were in Panama Canal Zone and Puerto Rico. 373, 374 and 375 regiments were the most active units composed of this ethnic group. However, the war got an end before these units were deployed overseas. David Barkley, a Mexican American, won a Medal of Honor for his achievements in World War I on 9th November 1918. We can see that Mexican Americans made reasonable contributions in World War II as compared to First World War because the war got an end before the units were being deployed. Mexican Americans in World War II In World War II, about 750,000 Mexican Americans served in the battlefield. They received a great amount of medals and their achievements in proportion to their numbers were highly commendable. Mexican Americans had great impact in United States in Second World War. This ethnic group was, basically, volunteered and drafted to act for United States armed services. They proved to be more successful as compared to many other minorities living in United States. In 1939 when World War II got a start, there were round about 2,690,000 Mexican Americans who were living in the United States. Most of them resided in southwestern States including Texas, California, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. In the year 1940, two National anti aircraft units were activated and send out to Philippines Islands. Those units had officer corps from various southwestern States. On December 7, 1941, Japanese launched an attack on American Navy. This incident happened at Pearl Harbor. Basically, Japanese forced America to be a part in war. Within few days, Japanese further attacked and hit the positions near Philippines where Mexican Americans set up off and activated by the government. At that crucial point, General Douglas MacArthur moved his army which included 200th and 515th battalions. These units fought against Japanese and made a memorable and heroic three months stand against the invading forces. It is worthwhile to note that the invading forces were large in number as well as well equipped with arms and ammunition. Although the units situated in Philippines Islands took a great stand but few days later, they had to quit because of the scarcity of medical supplies, ammunition and rations as required by the armed men. So the surviving troops withdrew after receiving direct order to surrender. General Jonathan while praising the efforts and contributions of 200th and 515th battalions mentioned, “They were the first to fire and the last to lay down their arms and only reluctantly doing so after being given a direct order.” Next to it, Bushmasters also served great in World War II. This unit was the major composition of Hispanic and Mexican American soldiers. This unit also made historical efforts to save United States of America. We can see great contributions and heavy combat from this side. General MacArthur referred this unit as “the greatest fighting combat team ever deployed for battle.” During World War II, round about 500, 000 Hispanics participated out of them most were those Americans that were of Mexican decedent. The 158th Infantry Regiment also known as Bushmasters consisted of a large number of Mexican Americans. However, this regiment also included the participants who were Native Americans. Bushmasters were considered the greatest and the recorded combating team deployed in World War II. 158th Infantry Regiment served in World War II with distinction. This regiment was installed near Southwestern Pacific and indulged in combating for 312 days. This Mexican Americans dominated regiment penalized Japanese with 3,000 casualties. On the other hand there were about 500 casualties on Americans part. Next to it, 141 Infantry Regiment was also considered an active participant in World War I. This regiment was another unit having relatively large Mexican Americans contingent. They served to fight for 361 days in France and Italy. In World War II, this regiment won three Medals of Honor, 31 warriors were regarded as distinguished officers and this regiment won almost 500 Silver Medals as well as 1700 bronze stars. Furthermore, Mexican Americans greatly served in many other regiments including 511 Parachute Infantry Regiments, 127 Infantry Regiment, 165 Infantry Regiment and 148 Infantry Regiment where they received one Medal of Honor in each. Large number of Mexican Americans also served in units and Battalion that were providing life saving service and also supplying arms and equipments. This was not an end. Several women also served in Women’s Corps during the Second World War. Many Hispanic soldiers including Mexican Americans also won several Medals of Honor during the war. United States registered large number of Hispanics including those Americans who were Mexican decedents to serve American Army. In Second World War Latinos of Mexican origins that were not very good in English skills were sent to the special training centers so that they could improve their speech proficiency in order to be enrolled into the conventional army. However, America’s participation soon received an end. So many soldiers did not get an opportunity to go for fight. One Hispanic American also received a Medal of Honor for his distinct services. He arrested 24 German warriors. For his remarkable contributions, he also received Service Cross, Viceroy Medal having three bars and purple hearts. In World War II, nine Hispanic received Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroic contributions during the tough period of war. Role of Mexican-American Women in World War II Women were also an indirect part of the war. They worked hard and earned good living for their families. In this way, they served the families of those soldiers who had left home for war. The women also encouraged the soldiers and supported all the efforts of the war. The achievements of the American society are also considered the boon of efforts put forward by women as they shared the financial burden of their men. They also offered comfort so that male soldiers could perform better to save their country. Second World War also fueled the migration of various groups to United States. Actually it was the time when defense industries grew at speedy rate at one end but at the same time these industries faced great shortage of labor. Many people who worked in those industries went off to battle field. To compensate the burden of defense industries, many women and African entered to those industries to bring a balance between manpower and production. Besides, temporary workers were also hired and agreements were set up to address the shortage of labor in the industrial sector of United States. United States put forward a labor agreement in 1942 between US and Mexico. This agreement is also known as Bracero Program. With the help of this program, many Mexicans moved to United States and they were initially set up in agricultural sector. Later on, some workers also became a part of many industries. Over one million deals were made between the periods of 1943 to 1945. With the help of these contracts, many Mexicans were recruited in various sectors. Mexican Nationals and their Contribution Mexicans nationals greatly played a role in World War II to save their land at one end and to protect the rights of people at the other. This passion and their love for the country was a turning point in the life of this ethnic group. They were truly considered a part of American Society. Conclusion We can see at the end of Second World War, almost every branch of military had a reasonable composition of this community. They not only served in war condition but also joined major campaigns round the globe. So we can see that this community served America not only at the time of glory but also shared the suffering and hardship of United States during war time. The families badly faced the deepest losses of their loved ones. Mexican Americans were at the frontline line in peace and war time. END NOTES 1. Rodriguez, M. 2005. Mexican Americans & World War II. United States of America: University of Texas Press. 2. Santillan, R. 2001. Saving Private Jose: Mid Western Mexican American Men during World War II. 19-27. http://www.csupomona.edu/~jis/2001/Santillan.pdf (accessed Nov 13, 2011). 3. Mexican Americans and World War II. http://www.hsp.org/sites/www.hsp.org/files/migrated/mexicanamericansandworldwarii.pdf (accessed Nov 13, 2011). 4. Schmal, J. 2002. Hispanic Contributions to America’s Defense. http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/memorial.html (accessed Nov 14, 2011). 5. Villahermosa, G. 2002. America’s Hispanics in America’s Wars. Army Magazine. http://www.valerosos.com/HispanicsMilitary.html (accessed Nov 14, 2011). Bibliography 1. Mexican Americans & World War II by Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez. 2. Journal Article by Richard Santillan: Saving Private Jose: Mid Western Mexican American Men during World War II. 3. Journal Article: Mexican Americans and World War II. 4. Hispanic Contributions to America’s Defense by John P. Schmal. 5. America’s Hispanics in America’s Wars by Col. Gilberto Villahermosa. Read More