A People’s History of the Inland Empire Digital Archive

2010 Calendar page 12, December

2021.003.011

Document

A calendar cover for December/ Diciembre 2010 presents Dario Vasquez, a WWII Army veteran originally from Riverside, California. The three photos are in black and white, the top two of which are presumably from his days serving under the navy during WWII (1939-1945). The third photo underneath is of the Gold Star Mothers with a dedication description of that reads, "THE GOLD STAR MOTHERS (left to right) Maria Mollindo, Elizabeth Rangel, Delfina Vasquez, Inez Cabrera and Cornelio Macias (not present). Son's killed in action during WWII were Theodore Mollindo, Manuel Rangel, Dario Vasquez, Gus Cabrera, and Ventura Macias. The Memorial was located at Lincoln Park." On the far right a memorial description for Dario Vasquez reads, "Corporal Dario G. Vasquez was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on December 19, 1919. His family moved to Riverside, California where he was raised. He entered the Army in August, 1941. He completed his basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and was then assigned to the 1st Armored Division 6th Infantry. His unit deployed to North Africa in the North African Campaign. He distinguished himself in combat and for bravery and valor was awarded the Bronze Star. He was killed in Action on April 2, 1943. He is memorialized at the North African American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. He received the following Medals/ Awards:
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
World War II Service Lapel Button
With the exception of the Purple Heart, his family was unaware of the additional medals that were awarded to Corporal Vasquez. In September of 2009 a request was submitted to the National Personnel Records Archives to present all remaining awards/ medals to his oldest surviving brother, Gilbert G. Vasquez of Riverside, California. Elaine (Vasquez) Kist"

World War II

Mexican American Military Service

U.S. Military

Commemoration

Memorial

Familial Life

Veteran

Inland Empire (Calif.); Riverside California (Calif.); Casa Blanca Riverside (Calif.)

20th Century

Unknown

2010; 1941 to 1943

Riverside County Mexican American Historical Society (RCMAHS)

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Spanish; English