Joe Martinez, born in Taos, New Mexico July 27, 1920, was the first Hispanic-American recipient of the Medal of Honor during WWII.
Martinez was assigned to Company K, 32rd Infantry, 7th Infantry Division after his basic training. On May 11, 1943, arrived on the island of Attu in the Aleutian Islands, where the Japanese had been since they invaded in June 1942.
Martinez led two assaults on Japanese foxholes, killing five machine gunners. He was shot in the head while approaching one foxhole during the second charge. He passed away the following day. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
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