Chavez, Jose D. (World War II), 2003
File — Box: 1, DVD: 5
Scope and Contents
Born 1926. Drafted when he was in the 9th grade, age 17, in 1944. Sent to Ft. Bliss, Texas. Infantry basic training at Camp Roberts, California. Declined an offer to join the paratroopers. Sent to Fort Meade, Maryland, and then to Ft. Lewis, Washington. His brother landed in Normandy on D-Day with Roque Garcia. Describes an incident of a Japanese pilot shot down by his ship on the voyage to Hawaii. Mentions inoculations. Encounters a soldier from Taos Pueblo, Geronimo Lujan. Sent to Saipan. Describes preparing for battle and beach landing. Expresses his feelings on encountering a dead Japanese soldier and being called “Chief”. 105th Artillery. Trained as a radio operator, he describes hearing Navajo Code Talkers. Mentions hearing Tokyo Rose. Sent to Okinawa; he describes meeting Ernie Pyle. Talks about being told not to write home about the horrors of war. Describes experiencing effects of PTSD. Describes his life after the war, including working for the railroad, starting a family, losing the family home to fire and his struggles with alcohol. Discusses the importance of his culture to who he is. 43:49 Total.
Dates
- 2003
Language of Materials
From the Collection:
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 1 box (.25 cu. ft.)
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu