Staff Sergeant Marcario García[1] also known as Macario García[note 1] (January 20, 1920 – December 24, 1972) was the first Mexican immigrant to receive the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration. He received the award for his heroic actions as a soldier during World War II.
Marcario (Macario) García
Staff Sergeant Marcario García, Medal of Honor recipient
García was born in Villa de Castaños, Mexico in the state of Coahuila, one of ten children born to destitute farm workers.[2] In 1923, Garcia's family immigrated to the United States in search of a better way of life. They eventually settled in Sugar Land, Texas, where he worked alongside his parents as a cottonfarmer.[3]
Garcia participated in, and was wounded during, the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Awarded the Purple Heart, he soon returned to duty where he later earned the Bronze Star.[5] On November 27, 1944, García was an acting squad leader in his platoon, which found itself engaged in combat against the German troops in the vicinity of Grosshau, Germany. Realizing that his company could not advance because it was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire, Garcia, on his own initiative, went ahead alone, destroying two enemy emplacements and capturing four prisoners. Despite being wounded himself, he continued to fight on with his unit until the objective was taken.[6] "Only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care," his Medal of Honor citation states. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle several years later, Garcia said: "I did not know the wound was so serious. I was numb, I think, and besides, we were moving forward, and it was not the time to stop." Captain Tony Bizzarro, B company commander, made the initial recommendation for the Medal of Honor. He thought Garcia was nothing less than the best soldier in the Army. "He was always willing to do anything he was asked to do," Bizzarro later told the Chronicle.[7]
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, US Army B Company 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Grosshau, Germany---November 27, 1944.
Entered service at: Sugarland, Texas
Born: January 20, 1920, Villa de Castano, Mexico
G.O. # 74 September 1, 1945.
Citation
Staff Sergeant Marcario García, Company B, 22nd Infantry, in action involving actual conflict with the enemy in the vicinity of Grosshau, Germany, 27 November 1944. While an acting squad leader, he single-handedly assaulted two enemy machine gun emplacements. Attacking prepared positions on a wooded hill, which could be approached only through meager cover. His company was pinned down by intense machine-gun fire and subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage. Although painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement. Hurling grenades, he boldly assaulted the position, destroyed the gun, and with his rifle killed three of the enemy who attempted to escape. When he rejoined his company, a second machine-gun opened fire and again the intrepid soldier went forward, utterly disregarding his own safety. He stormed the position and destroyed the gun, killed three more Germans, and captured four prisoners. He fought on with his unit until the objective was taken and only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care. S/Sgt. (then Pvt.) Garcia's conspicuous heroism, his inspiring, courageous conduct, and his complete disregard for his personal safety wiped out two enemy emplacements and enabled his company to advance and secure its objective.[1][6]
Honors and discriminationedit
President Truman bestows the Medal of Honor on García
On August 23, 1945, the President of the United States, Harry S. Truman presented Staff Sergeant García with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in the White House. Shortly afterward, his native land of Mexico awarded him the Mérito Militar, one of the highest awards in the Mexican Army, for valor.[9] A month after he was awarded the Medal of Honor, Garcia was denied service at a restaurant located in a town just a few miles south of Houston because he was Hispanic. Garcia was beaten with a bat by the owner. No one was arrested and no charges were initially filed. It was only after national columnist Walter Winchell reported the incident and labeled Sugar Land the most racist city in America that charges were filed—against Garcia. Then the incident was covered by the news media, and caused an uproar amongst the Mexican community who rallied to his aid. The nation was made aware as to the discriminatory policies that Mexican-Americans were subject to, as the case against Garcia was repeatedly postponed before being dropped.[10]
Later yearsedit
Macario Garcia Middle School near Sugar Land
García became an American citizen on June 25, 1947, and earned a high school diploma in 1951. On May 18, 1952, he married Alicia Reyes with whom he had three children. For twenty-five years he worked as a counselor in the Veterans' Administration.[10]
On the evening of November 21, 1963, Marcario García greeted President John F. Kennedy at the door of the Rice Ballroom in Houston Texas. The ballroom was filled with a diverse crowd of attendees that included Hispanic World War II veterans, Civil Rights advocates and future political activists.[11] The president spoke of U.S. and Latin American Foreign Policy and the importance of recognition and acknowledgement of Hispanic organizations like the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Speaking in fluent Spanish, Mrs. Kennedy offered words of inspiration and encouragement. The day after this meeting Kennedy was assassinated.
García died on December 24, 1972, from injuries which he received in a car accident.[12] He was buried with full military honors in the Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas. The local government of Houston honored his memory by naming a middle school after him as well as renaming part of 69th Street in Houston "S/SGT Marcario García Street". In 1983 Vice President George Bush dedicated Houston's new Macario García Army Reserve Center, and in 1994 Macario Garcia Middle School of the Fort Bend Independent School District, in unincorporatedFort Bend County, Texas, near Sugar Land, was named in García's honor.[10]
On November 11 2021, a mural by artist Mez Data, was unveiled and dedicated along an exterior wall of Houston Fire Station #20, which is along S/Sgt. Macario Garcia Drive at Navigation Boulevard.Melissa Correa KHOU 11.
Awards and recognitionsedit
Staff Sergeant Marcario García's decorations and medals were the following:
^His "Medal of Honor citation" and some websites referrer to the subject as "Marcario" while in some other websites the subject is referred to as "Macario"
^ abcGarcía, María-Cristina (June 15, 2010). "García, Macario". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.
^"Houston Chronicle", December 25, 1972, November 26, 1994. Houston Post, September 7, 1945, December 26, 1972. New York Times, August 9, 1945
^MACARIO GARCIA, 52, A WORLD WAR II HERO. New York Times, December 27, 1982. Page 51
Further readingedit
The following books make references to Marcario García's exploits.
Medal of Honor: Historical Facts And Figures, page 167, by Ron Owens
The Battle of Hurtgen Forest (West Wall Series) (West Wall), page 133, by Charles Whiting
The Quest for Tejano Identity in San Antonio, Texas, 1913-2000 (Latino Communities: Emerging Voices—Political, Social, Cultural and Legal Issues), page 56, by Jr., Richard Buitron and Richard Buitron
ÁRaza Sí! ÁGuerra No!: Chicano Protest and Patriotism during the Viet Nam War Era, page 36, by Lorena Oropeza
Moon Handbooks Charleston and Savannah (Moon Handbooks), page 115, by Mike Sigalas
External linksedit
"Discovery UT Austin". Retrieved October 4, 2010.
"Houston National Cemetery". Retrieved October 4, 2010.
. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
Stanley Jozwiak. "Battle in the Hurtgen Forest". 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry website.
April 08, 2024
marcario, garcía, confused, with, sergent, garcia, staff, sergeant, also, known, macario, garcía, note, january, 1920, december, 1972, first, mexican, immigrant, receive, medal, honor, united, states, highest, military, decoration, received, award, heroic, act. Not to be confused with Sergent Garcia Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia 1 also known as Macario Garcia note 1 January 20 1920 December 24 1972 was the first Mexican immigrant to receive the Medal of Honor the United States highest military decoration He received the award for his heroic actions as a soldier during World War II Marcario Macario GarciaStaff Sergeant Marcario Garcia Medal of Honor recipientBorn 1920 01 02 January 2 1920Castanos Coahuila MexicoDiedDecember 24 1972 1972 12 24 aged 52 Houston TexasPlace of burialHouston National Cemetery Houston TexasAllegianceUnited States of AmericaService wbr branchUnited States ArmyYears of serviceUnited States Army 1942 1945 United States Army Reserve 1946 1972RankCommand Sergeant MajorUnitCompany B 1st Battalion 22d Infantry Regiment 4th Infantry DivisionBattles warsWorld War II invasion of Normandy AwardsMedal of HonorBronze Star MedalPurple Heart Contents 1 Early years 2 World War II Service 3 Medal of Honor citation 4 Honors and discrimination 5 Later years 6 Awards and recognitions 7 Notes 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External linksEarly years editGarcia was born in Villa de Castanos Mexico in the state of Coahuila one of ten children born to destitute farm workers 2 In 1923 Garcia s family immigrated to the United States in search of a better way of life They eventually settled in Sugar Land Texas where he worked alongside his parents as a cotton farmer 3 Upon the outbreak of World War II Garcia joined the United States Army at a recruiting station in his adopted hometown in November 1942 4 He was assigned to Company B 22nd Infantry Regiment 4th Infantry Division World War II Service editGarcia participated in and was wounded during the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944 Awarded the Purple Heart he soon returned to duty where he later earned the Bronze Star 5 On November 27 1944 Garcia was an acting squad leader in his platoon which found itself engaged in combat against the German troops in the vicinity of Grosshau Germany Realizing that his company could not advance because it was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire Garcia on his own initiative went ahead alone destroying two enemy emplacements and capturing four prisoners Despite being wounded himself he continued to fight on with his unit until the objective was taken 6 Only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care his Medal of Honor citation states In an interview with the Houston Chronicle several years later Garcia said I did not know the wound was so serious I was numb I think and besides we were moving forward and it was not the time to stop Captain Tony Bizzarro B company commander made the initial recommendation for the Medal of Honor He thought Garcia was nothing less than the best soldier in the Army He was always willing to do anything he was asked to do Bizzarro later told the Chronicle 7 Medal of Honor citation edit nbsp Marcario Garcia 8 Rank and organization Staff Sergeant US Army B Company 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry 4th Infantry Division Place and date Near Grosshau Germany November 27 1944 Entered service at Sugarland Texas Born January 20 1920 Villa de Castano Mexico G O 74 September 1 1945 Citation Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia Company B 22nd Infantry in action involving actual conflict with the enemy in the vicinity of Grosshau Germany 27 November 1944 While an acting squad leader he single handedly assaulted two enemy machine gun emplacements Attacking prepared positions on a wooded hill which could be approached only through meager cover His company was pinned down by intense machine gun fire and subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage Although painfully wounded he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement Hurling grenades he boldly assaulted the position destroyed the gun and with his rifle killed three of the enemy who attempted to escape When he rejoined his company a second machine gun opened fire and again the intrepid soldier went forward utterly disregarding his own safety He stormed the position and destroyed the gun killed three more Germans and captured four prisoners He fought on with his unit until the objective was taken and only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care S Sgt then Pvt Garcia s conspicuous heroism his inspiring courageous conduct and his complete disregard for his personal safety wiped out two enemy emplacements and enabled his company to advance and secure its objective 1 6 Honors and discrimination edit nbsp President Truman bestows the Medal of Honor on GarciaOn August 23 1945 the President of the United States Harry S Truman presented Staff Sergeant Garcia with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in the White House Shortly afterward his native land of Mexico awarded him the Merito Militar one of the highest awards in the Mexican Army for valor 9 A month after he was awarded the Medal of Honor Garcia was denied service at a restaurant located in a town just a few miles south of Houston because he was Hispanic Garcia was beaten with a bat by the owner No one was arrested and no charges were initially filed It was only after national columnist Walter Winchell reported the incident and labeled Sugar Land the most racist city in America that charges were filed against Garcia Then the incident was covered by the news media and caused an uproar amongst the Mexican community who rallied to his aid The nation was made aware as to the discriminatory policies that Mexican Americans were subject to as the case against Garcia was repeatedly postponed before being dropped 10 Later years edit nbsp Macario Garcia Middle School near Sugar LandGarcia became an American citizen on June 25 1947 and earned a high school diploma in 1951 On May 18 1952 he married Alicia Reyes with whom he had three children For twenty five years he worked as a counselor in the Veterans Administration 10 On the evening of November 21 1963 Marcario Garcia greeted President John F Kennedy at the door of the Rice Ballroom in Houston Texas The ballroom was filled with a diverse crowd of attendees that included Hispanic World War II veterans Civil Rights advocates and future political activists 11 The president spoke of U S and Latin American Foreign Policy and the importance of recognition and acknowledgement of Hispanic organizations like the League of United Latin American Citizens LULAC Speaking in fluent Spanish Mrs Kennedy offered words of inspiration and encouragement The day after this meeting Kennedy was assassinated Garcia died on December 24 1972 from injuries which he received in a car accident 12 He was buried with full military honors in the Houston National Cemetery in Houston Texas The local government of Houston honored his memory by naming a middle school after him as well as renaming part of 69th Street in Houston S SGT Marcario Garcia Street In 1983 Vice President George Bush dedicated Houston s new Macario Garcia Army Reserve Center and in 1994 Macario Garcia Middle School of the Fort Bend Independent School District in unincorporated Fort Bend County Texas near Sugar Land was named in Garcia s honor 10 On November 11 2021 a mural by artist Mez Data was unveiled and dedicated along an exterior wall of Houston Fire Station 20 which is along S Sgt Macario Garcia Drive at Navigation Boulevard Melissa Correa KHOU 11 Awards and recognitions editStaff Sergeant Marcario Garcia s decorations and medals were the following nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Badge Combat Infantryman Badge1st row Medal of Honor2nd row Legion of Merit w 1 Oak leaf cluster Bronze Star Purple Heart3rd row American Campaign Medal European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w 2 Service stars World War II Victory MedalForeign award Merito Militar MexicoNotes edit His Medal of Honor citation and some websites referrer to the subject as Marcario while in some other websites the subject is referred to as Macario See also edit nbsp Biography portalList of Medal of Honor recipients List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients Hispanic Americans in World War IIReferences edit a b Medal of Honor recipients Medal of Honor citations United States Army Center of Military History August 3 2009 Retrieved July 1 2010 Medal of Honor recipient Macario Garcia Texas State Historical Association WWII Army Enlistment Records Texas History Minute Medal of Honor recipient Macario Garcia a b Medal of Honor citation at homeofheroes com Glenn By Mike 9 August 2016 Medal of Honor recipient wasn t always celebrated Chron First name according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Citation Medal of Honor recipient Macario Garcia a b c Garcia Maria Cristina June 15 2010 Garcia Macario Handbook of Texas Online Texas State Historical Association Houston Chronicle December 25 1972 November 26 1994 Houston Post September 7 1945 December 26 1972 New York Times August 9 1945 MACARIO GARCIA 52 A WORLD WAR II HERO New York Times December 27 1982 Page 51Further reading editThe following books make references to Marcario Garcia s exploits Medal of Honor Historical Facts And Figures page 167 by Ron Owens The Battle of Hurtgen Forest West Wall Series West Wall page 133 by Charles Whiting The Quest for Tejano Identity in San Antonio Texas 1913 2000 Latino Communities Emerging Voices Political Social Cultural and Legal Issues page 56 by Jr Richard Buitron and Richard Buitron ARaza Si AGuerra No Chicano Protest and Patriotism during the Viet Nam War Era page 36 by Lorena Oropeza Moon Handbooks Charleston and Savannah Moon Handbooks page 115 by Mike SigalasExternal links edit Discovery UT Austin Retrieved October 4 2010 Houston National Cemetery Retrieved October 4 2010 The Fearless Mexican Archived from the original on February 2 2011 Retrieved October 4 2010 Stanley Jozwiak Battle in the Hurtgen Forest 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marcario Garcia amp oldid 1216999337, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
