Louis Gonzaga Mendez Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louis Gonzaga Mendez Jr.
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Colonel Louis Gonzaga Mendez Jr.
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| Born | July 14, 1915 Trinidad, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | September 19, 2001 (aged 86) Falls Church, Virginia, U.S. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1970 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands held | 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star (3) |
| Other work | Infantry instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia Military attaché in Spain (1950) |
Colonel Louis Gonzaga Mendez Jr. (July 14, 1915 – September 19, 2001) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He was part of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. In June 1944, he led his soldiers as a paratrooper behind enemy lines in Normandy, France.
He earned a special award called the Distinguished Service Cross. This was for leading an attack that helped capture the French town of Prétot-Sainte-Suzanne. On June 6, 2002, the people of Prétot honored him by naming their main square "La Place du Colonel Mendez."
Early Life
Louis Gonzaga Mendez Jr. was born in Trinidad, Colorado, on July 14, 1915. He had Mexican American, Spanish, and Navajo Indian heritage. He was a very good student and finished at the top of his high school class.
After working in the Civilian Conservation Corps (a program that helped young men find jobs during the Great Depression), he was chosen to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated from West Point in 1940. He then became a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Mendez also earned his Parachutist Badge, which means he was trained to jump out of planes.
World War II Hero
The United States joined World War II in December 1941. Mendez was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He became the leader of the 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
On June 5–6, 1944, Mendez and his paratroopers were part of a huge airborne attack. They jumped into Normandy, France, as some of the first soldiers to fight there. Their mission was to stop the German army. They needed to cut off communications, take important roads, and destroy enemy supplies. This helped the soldiers landing on the beaches during D-Day.
Mendez and his men successfully captured the town of Prétot Ste Suzanne. For his bravery and leadership, Mendez received the Distinguished Service Cross. This is the second highest award for military bravery, right after the Medal of Honor.
After fighting in Normandy, Mendez's battalion took part in Operation Market Garden in September 1944. This was a plan by American and British forces to capture important bridges in the Low Countries (like the Netherlands). Even though some parts of the plan didn't work, Mendez's 82nd Airborne Division achieved its goals.
In December 1944, the Germans launched a surprise attack called the Battle of the Bulge. Allied troops were pushed back at first. But Mendez and his battalion helped fight back. They stopped the German advance in the north.
After the War
After World War II, Mendez continued his education and military career. He studied at important military colleges. He also earned a master's degree in international relations from Georgetown University. He taught at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
In 1950, he worked as a military helper in Spain. In the 1960s, he served in South Korea as a commander. He also worked in the War Histories Division and for the Organization of American States. Mendez retired from the military in 1970 as a Colonel.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving the military, Mendez worked for the Virginia Education Department. He helped lead programs to improve reading and adult education. He retired from this work in 1985.
Colonel Mendez passed away on September 19, 2001, in Falls Church, Virginia. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
On June 6, 2002, the people of Prétot-Vicquemare, France, honored him. They renamed their main square "La Place du Colonel Mendez" to remember his bravery. A famous historian, Cornelius Ryan, wrote about Colonel Mendez's leadership in his book, A Bridge Too Far.
In 2017, a high school in Fairfax County, Virginia, was renamed Justice High School. This new name was chosen to honor people who worked for justice, including Colonel Mendez.
Military Awards
Colonel Mendez received many awards for his service. The most important was the Distinguished Service Cross. This award is given for extraordinary heroism in battle.
Here are some of the awards he received:
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Bronze Star (with two oak leaf clusters, meaning he received it three times)
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
He also earned special badges:
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Master Parachutist Badge
And his unit received:
- Presidential Unit Citation
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See also
- Hispanic Americans in World War II
