Patriots from the Barrio: The Story of Company E, 141st Infantry: The Only All Mexican American Army Unit in World War II

[509thPIB]

Patriots in the Barrio: The Story of Company E, 141st Infantry: The Only All Mexican American Army Unit in World War II

 

Embroiled in savage combat, soldiers whose service has gone unrecognized until now

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 fathers 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 Americansthe only such unit in the entire U.S. Army. The division landed at Salerno, Italy, 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 Germanys 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 made the storied landings at Anzio 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 IIbrings 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.

 

 

[509thPIB]

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[KVSkelton]

Wow! Thanks for posting that 509th! My G-Uncle was a replacement soldier in Co. E of the 141st, arriving with the unit in December of 1944. He was KIA during Operation Nordwind in January of 1945 a few weeks before his 24th birthday. I will definitely be picking up these books!

 

-Kevin

[Custermen]

Here is a good book on the 36th Texas Division:  "The Texas Army; A History of the 36th Division in the Italian Campaign" by Robert L. Wagner.  Most people are familiar with "T-Patch to Victory" but it doesn't cover much at all about the fighting in Italy.  Whereas, Wagner's book covers only their campaigns in Italy.

 Book contains 285 pages--  16 Maps & 36 photos printed on plain paper. 

Published by State House Press, 1972.