Felix Z. Longoria, Jr.

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Felix Z. Longoria, Jr.
1920 – June 1945

Pvt. Felix Z. Longoria, Jr.
Place of birth Three Rivers, Texas
Place of death Philippines
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Private
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Combat Infantryman Badge

Pvt. Felix Z. Longoria, Jr. (1920 - June 1945), a decorated soldier, served in the United States Army during World War II and was the first Mexican American to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Contents

[edit] Background

[edit] Personal

In November 1944 Felix Z. Longoria, Jr. was drafted and shipped out with the 27th Infantry Regiment to Luzon in the Philippines, leaving behind his wife and four year old daughter.[1][2]

[edit] Social climate

In Texas during the 1940s, as in other parts of the country, Mexican Americans were considered non-white.[3] Segregation of Mexican American children in schools and employment discrimination against Mexican American workers was pervasive in the Southwestern United States.[4] Generally Mexican American World War II servicemen were integrated into regular military units but some served in segregated Mexican American units such as Company C of the 141st Regiment, 36th Division.[5]

[edit] The Felix Longoria Affair

Seven months after beginning a volunteer tour of duty in the Pacific Theatre, Longoria was killed by a Japanese sniper while on a mission in the Philippines. Pvt. Longoria's remains were not returned to the United States until 1949, and the director of the only funeral home in his hometown of Three Rivers, Texas would not allow him to lie in state there because he was a "Mexican"[6] and "the whites would not like it." Additionally, the only cemetery in Three Rivers was segregated, and the war hero was to be buried in the "Mexican" section of the cemetery which was separated by barbed wire. Publication of an article in the New York Times brought national attention to the Longoria family's plight and the incident became known as the Felix Longoria Affair. Outraged Tejanos seeking to end discrimination organized under the newly formed American GI Forum and its leader Dr. Héctor P. García.[7] With the intervention of then-senator Lyndon B. Johnson, arrangements were made for Pvt. Longoria to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery[8] with full military honors.[9] Longoria became the first Mexican American serviceman to be awarded this honor.

[edit] Decorations

[edit] Mexican American civil rights movement

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The Felix Longoria affair became an early example of unity in the Mexican American civil rights movement. The intervention of Dr. Hector García and the American GI Forum in the matter led to an increased interest around the country in opening local chapters of the organization.[10]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Garcia, Ignacio M. (2002). Hector P. Garcia - In Relentless Pursuit of Justice. Houston: Arte Publico Press, p105. ISBN 0131835505. 
  2. ^ Pvt. Felix Longoria
  3. ^ Gonzales, Manuel (1999). Mexicanos: a history of Mexicans in the United States. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, p184. ISBN 0253214009. 
  4. ^ Rivas-Rodriguez, Maggie (2006). A Legacy Greater Than Words: Stories of U.S. Latinos & Latinas of the World War II Generation, 1st, Austin: U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project, University of Texas at Austin, School of Journalism, p257. ISBN 0292714181. 
  5. ^ Richardson, Rupert N.; Adrian Anderson, Cary D. Wintz & Ernest Wallace (2005). Texas: the Lone Star State, 9th edition, 9th, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, p384. ISBN 0131835505. 
  6. ^ Lopez, Ian F. Hanner (2003). Racism on Trial - The Chicano Fight for Justice. Cambridge and London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University, p70. ISBN 06740106X. 
  7. ^ Richardson, Anderson, Wintz & Wallace (2005). p386.
  8. ^ Meir, Matt S. (1972). Mexican Americans/American Mexicans: From Conquistadors to Chicanos. New York: Hill and Wang, pp 169-170. ISBN 0809015595. 
  9. ^ Lopez, Ian F. Hanner (2003). Racism on Trial - The Chicano Fight for Justice. Cambridge and London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University, p70. ISBN 06740106X. 
  10. ^ Justice for My People: The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Story (2004), documentary aired on PBS, September 17, 2007.

[edit] Further reading

  • Carroll, Patrick Felix Longoria's Wake: Bereavement, Racism, and the Rise of Mexican American Activism, University of Texas Press (ISBN 0292712499)
  • Carl Allsup, The American G.I. Forum: Origins and Evolution, University of Texas Center for Mexican American Studies Monograph 6, Austin, (1982)

[edit] External links