Veterans of War Curated Collection

The Veterans of War Curated Collection is comprised of photographs, videos, interviews, conference proceedings, and presentations relating to military service veterans in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

Potentially Harmful Content:

Veterans describe their lived experiences including but not limited to combat, war, violence, trauma, and injury. Sometimes these descriptions can be graphic in their detail..
The experiences, viewpoints, and time periods reflected in these interviews vary widely.

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Interview with Reyes L. Garcia, Jr.

Reyes L. Garcia Jr., Gary L. Villereal, and Alonzo Cavazos

Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Division, 9th Air Mobile Division
- Location of Service: Vinh Phuc, Bear Cat, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1969-1971
- Military Status: Veteran
Interview with Robert A. Diaz

Robert A. Diaz, Mary Jane Coder, and Alonzo Cavazos

Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 366th MMS-Tactical Fighter Wing
- Location of Service: Da Nang Air Field, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1962-1982
- Military Status: Veteran
Interview with Robert Gonzalez

Robert Gonzalez, Aldo Cavazos, and Jorge Gonzalez

Robert Gonzalez talks about growing up in Weslaco in the 1950s and his time in Vietnam as a soldier. He discusses his integration back into American society and his experience with Veterans Affairs (the VA).
Interview with Roberto F. Villa

Roberto F. Villa, Gary L. Villereal, and Alonzo Cavazos

Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 199th Light Infantry Brigade; 9th Infantry Division; 1st Armored Division
- Location of Service: Dong Tam, Vietnam; Bien Hoa, Vietnam; Long Binh, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1966-1967
- Military Status: Veteran
Interview with Ruben E. Campos Rodriguez

Ruben E. Campos Rodriguez, Sandra Trevino, and Alonzo Cavazos

Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment
- Location of Service: Bong Son, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1966-1969
- Military Status: Veteran
Interview with Vernon Carson

Vernon Carson and Cynthia E. Garza

Vernon Carson talks about his life history and his World War II experiences.
Interview with Victor Salinas, Jr.

Victor Salinas Jr., Gary L. Villereal, and Alonzo Cavazos

Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 25th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division
- Location of Service: Cu Chi, Vietnam; Camp Eagle, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Specialist Four
- Dates of Service: 1970-1971
- Military Status: Veteran
Interview with William Smid - Part 03

William Smid and Robert Everett Norton

Part 3 of 3.
- 00:00 - Continued from part 02
- 15:07 - World War II.
- 29:30 - Marriage.
- 30:20 - After the war, moving to St. Louise and having a son.
- 38:10 - 1949, moving to the Rio Grande Valley.
- 47:47 - Flying equipment changes, buying an airstrip and pesticides.
Memorial Service for Col. James "Nick" Rowe

Hidalgo County Historical Commission

Video recording of Col. James "Nick" Rowe's memorial service at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), North Carolina.
Memories of Fort Brown and Other Select Interviews: An Oral History Project

James Mills

Chula Griffin / by Sarai Salinas -- Ruben Edelstein / by Ricardo Cantu -- Alicia Putegnat / by Ashley Garcia -- Frank Maldonado / by Samantha Davila -- William Abraham King / by Samantha Davila -- Walter Rathjen / by Eddie Garcia -- Sara "Sarita" Walker / by Alisha Janiga -- Clara Zepeda / by Diego Leal -- Ruben Garcia / by Alex Gutierrez -- Oscar Henslee / by Colt Munoz and Gabriela Gutierrez -- Ray Hughston / by Citlalic Laguna, Brenda Vela, Maria Gomez, and Breanna Rodriguez -- Leon Van Holsbeke / by Jessica Wareham -- Jim Pace / by David Silva and Oziel Gamboa -- Katie C. Maranitch / by Maria Jose Ramirez -- Joe I. Trevino / by Alexandra Mora -- Eduardo Ramos / by Gabriela Gutierrez -- Harry Sexton / by Ramio Cantu -- Norma Lobaugh / by Anthony Munoz -- Henry Kenneson, Jr. / by Victoria Lopez -- Pat Pace / by Laura Garcia -- Larry Herrera / by by Maria Gomez and Myrell Mortalla -- Robert Gann / by Laura Garcia -- Agnes and Frances Browne / Sergio Hernandez, Paul Rios, and James Mills -- Dr. Rudy Valle / by Alexandra Mora, Nelly Estrada, and Oziel Gamboa -- Evangeline Henggeler / by Oziel Gamboa -- Amelia Champion / by Jaime Guajardo -- Irma Solitaira / by Citlalic Laguna.
Papers of the Second Palo Alto Conference

Anthony K. Knopp, Harriett Denise Joseph, Douglas A. Murphy, and Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site (Agency : U.S.)

Introduction -- Conference Program -- Reconsideraciones sobre la guerra entre México y los Estados Unidos / Josefina Zoraida Vázquez -- La beligerencia mexicana durante la guerra con los Estados Unidos/ Jesús Velasco -Márquez -- James K. Polk and Presidential War Powers: An Unexplored Field of the Constitution / Kathleen O'Kray Peltier -- A Thread of Brittle Texture " : Ann Chase and Manifest Destiny / Shannon L. Baker -- We Shall Beat Them Wherever We Meet Them " : Civil War Officer Perceptions of Mexico; 1846-48 / Christopher S. Stowe -- Encountering the Other: American Soldiers in the Mexican - American War, 1846-48 / Frank F. Koscielski -- War Correspondents on the Rio Grande: The Press and America's First Foreign War / Mitchel Roth -- Women and the Mexican War / Linda Vance -- The Immigrant Soldier in the Regular Army During the Mexican War / Dale R. Steinhauer -- The Regiment of Voltigeurs, U.S.A .: A Case Study of the Mexican - American War / Erik D. France -- Mr. Polk's Generals / Richard Bruce Winders -- "Cerro Gordo Shout": David E. Twiggs and the United States Mexican War / Jeanne T. Heidler & David S. Heidler -- Buena Vista : All Wool and a Mile Wide / Bob Burk -- The New Mexican " Revolt" of 1847 and its Effect on American Jurisprudence, 1850-1912 / Robert J. Torrez -- " Ho! For Yucatan ! " : Los voluntarios norteamericanos después de la guerra con México / Lorena Careaga Viliesid -- Josiah Turner, Juan Cortina, and Carlos Esparza: Veterans of the Mexican War Along the Lower Rio Grande / Carlos Larralde -- The Texas Devils: McNelly's Rangers and the Palo Alto Fight of 1875 / Michael Collins -- Biology of the Palo Alto Battlefield Site: A Summary / Norman L. Richard & Alfred Richardson -- Palo Alto : A Symbol and Sacred Ground / Joseph O'Bell.
Photograph of Captains Smith, Aboussie and Barrera at Cu-Chi

Cayetano E. Barrera

Color photograph.
Photograph of Cayetano Barrera at Lom-Son

Cayetano E. Barrera

Color photograph.
[VET] A Salute To Veterans of the Lower Rio Grande Valley 2021

UTRGV University Library, Special Collections & Archives

Featuring: Americo Paredes, Carlton Chilton Jr., Hector P. Garcia, Jose Mendoza Lopez, Wilma "Dolly" Vinsant Shea, William George Harrell, Kika de la Garza, Felipe A. Champion, Alfredo "Freddy" Gonzalez, Cayetano E. Barrera, James "Nikki" Rowe, Rosemary Mariner, and library books and oral histories pertaining to Rio Grande Valley Veterans.
Veterans Mourning Wall: Photograph of Veterans Day Celebration, 2004-11-10

Veterans Day Celebration at UTB/TSC ITEC, formerly the Amigoland Mall.
Veterans Mourning Wall: Photograph of Veterans Day Celebration, 2004-11-10

Veterans Day Celebration at UTB/TSC ITEC, formerly the Amigoland Mall.
Veterans Mourning Wall: Photograph of Veterans Day Celebration, 2004-11-10

Veterans Day Celebration at UTB/TSC ITEC, formerly the Amigoland Mall.
[VET] National Veterans & Military Families Month

Raquel Estrada, Shannon Pensa, and William Flores

Collection of posters created celebrating National Veterans & Military Families Month.
[VET] Veterans Day 2023

Special Collections & Archives and Shannon Pensa

UTRGV Special Collections & Archives presents an an annual poster exhibit honoring the service and sacrifice of military service veterans of the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

This year's digital poster exhibit features information about the historic changes in the U.S. armed forces as well as profiles for valley veterans, including: Richard E. Cavazos, Dr. Eloisa Tamez, Pedro Cano, Maria Osorio, Ruth M. Abney, Eugene Gutierrez, Angela Burton, Herbert Pike, and Edgar Hernandez.

Learn more about Special Collections & Archives resources on the history of military service in the Valley by visiting our research guide.
[VET] We Salute the Veterans of the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Shannon Pensa and

A Special Poster Exhibit Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of Our Veterans and their Families. The 2022 digital poster exhibit highlights military service veterans and their achievements, including Saburo Tanamachi, John F. Webber, Tom Landry, Ruth Aline Moses, Pablo M. Coronado, Jacob Daniel White, Frank S. Plummer, Ricardo Sanchez, William C. Gorgas, Herminia Whitzel, Fernando De La Rosa, and Frances Isbell.
Volume 16 – José M. Lopez: Un hombre valiente

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose M. Lopez

This military hero received numerous medals for bravery during World War II, including the Medal of Honor. Lopez and family members speak about his early years in Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley, his career as a boxer and his celebrated military career.
"Yes, we are Latino women but very proud to have serve[d] our country": Ethnic Mexican women's contributions to World War II

Laura L. Oviedo

This theses highlights ethnic Mexican women from Texas who contributed to World War II through the military, wartime employment industries, and home front unconventional efforts. By utilizing twenty-eight oral histories, collected from the VOCES Oral History Project Archive at the Benson Latin American Collection, ten Texas newspapers, and military documents, this research presents the wartime efforts of ethnic Mexican women. Each chapter traces the women’s economic, racial, and gendered struggles in their private and social spaces before the war to better appreciate their participation during the war. An examination of the experiences of ethnic Mexican women during World War II analyzes the agency they enacted to accept, resist, and negotiate their positions within a patriarchal structure in their social and private spaces. World War II provided a moment for ethnic Mexican women to break from strict gender roles, challenge racial barriers, and gain economic autonomy.