Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Challenging Brokaw

Friday, July 23, 1999 | 9:07 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

TOM BROKAW'S "The Greatest Generation" is still high on the list of books being read by Americans. I liked it so much that my copy went to a grandson who is reading the book to better understand his grandparents. This will also give him a taste of living American history that is slowly slipping away as the years pass by and the participants of that life go to their graves.

Not everybody was as pleased with Brokaw's work, and because of some displeasure we may see another book from the author during the coming years. Las Vegan Al Ramirez made note that "The Greatest Generation" didn't include the story of even one Hispanic and he made his feelings known in a letter to Brokaw. It was a typed, three-page, single-spaced missile that was loaded with information about the accomplishments of Hispanics which included:

"There are estimates that some 250,000-500,000 Hispanics served in the Armed Forces and that they participated in all the major battles of World War II. The book written by Raul Morin, 'Among the Valiant': Mexican-Americans in World War II and Korea; Los Angeles; Borden 1963, details the American heroes of Mexican descent who fought with the United States -- especially those who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for their selfless service in combat. ..."

Ramirez went on to point out that 37 Americans of Hispanic blood have been awarded the Medal of Honor since World War I. Along with the letter he included excerpts from Morin's "Among the Valiant," newspaper articles and even a picture of 39 Hispanic soldiers taken in Alpine, Texas, after they returned home in 1946.

Raul Morin's book tells of Sgt. Jose M. Lopez of the Second Infantry Division, fighting in Belgium, Dec. 17, 1944:

"Occupying a shallow hole offering no protection above his waist, he cut down a group of 10 Germans. Ignoring enemy fire from an advancing tank, he held his position and cut down 25 more enemy infantry attempting to turn his flank. Glancing to his right he saw a large number of infantry swarming in from the front. Although dazed and shaken from enemy artillery fire which had crashed into the ground only a few yards away, he realized that his position soon would be outflanked. Again, alone, he carried his machine gun to a position to the right rear of the sector; enemy tanks and infantry were forcing a withdrawal. Blown over backward by the concussion of enemy fire, he immediately reset his gun and continued his fire. Single-handed, he held off the German horde until he was satisfied his company had effected its retirement.

"Again he loaded his gun on his back and in a hail of small arms fire he ran to a point where a few of his comrades were attempting to set up another defense against the onrushing enemy. He fired from this position until his ammunition was exhausted. ..."

Morin received a letter from then-Vice President Lyndon Johnson expressing his feelings. Johnson wrote:

"As a Navy officer and as a member of Congress during World War II, I had occasion to become familiar on numerous occasions with the contributions made during that conflict by American soldiers of Mexican origin.

"Every such experience renewed my pride in the fact that Texas was the native state of so many of these soldiers.

"The American soldiers of Mexican origin served with distinction. They fought courageously. They gave their lives, when need be, valiantly. ..."

It was this same Lyndon Johnson who, during earlier years as a senator, made arrangements for the burial of soldier Felix Longoria, who had been denied burial in his hometown of Three Rivers, Texas. Longoria was killed by a Japanese sniper in the jungles of the Philippines on June 15, 1945. Three years later his body was returned to Texas, where the funeral home told his widow, Beatrice, it wouldn't handle the arrangements. Why not? She was told it was because the "whites would not like it." Johnson arranged for Longoria's burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Yes, there are hundreds of stories that tell of the work, sweat and blood the Hispanics have contributed to the building of a great nation. Ramirez told Brokaw, "Your book reflects what you claim in your book that 'this generation was united not only by common purpose, but also by common values -- duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country and, above all, responsibility for oneself.' Our people have done that. ..."

At the beginning of this column I mentioned we may see more writing by Brokaw. Displaying the sensitivity for which he is known around the world, Brokaw replied to Al's letter:

"Thank you for writing and sharing your own perspective on that era. No group was intentionally omitted from the book, although unfortunately it had to have a limit. "The Greatest Generation" is an ongoing project and we will keep your letter and the information you sent on file for future reference."

I'll be standing in line to get the next book written by Tom Brokaw.