A People’s History of the Inland Empire Digital Archive

Blas Coyazo and Military Police Unit

2022.006.063

image

Blas Coyazo posing with the rest of the Military Police Unit at the Columbia Army Base in South Carolina where he was stationed in 1944 during World War II. "After experiencing segregation at home, from barbershops to the local roller rink, Coyazo was amazed to find himself in an all-white unit with access to facilities far superior to his black comrades, who were housed at and fought in segregated units. The following letter was sent on January 1, 1945 to "Pelanchos" and Charlie: 'Here I am with the boys from the 2nd Relief. I have white gloves, white leggings an M.P. band and a holster with my lassito around my shoulder, only it can't be seen, it's too bad. But anyway here I am, hope you can find me. With all my love, Blas.'" (Vasquez and Carpio, 35)

World War II

Segregation

South Carolina

1944-1945

Blas Coyazo

1/1/1945

Inland Mexican Heritage, courtesy of Blas Coyazo

.tif

English

Vasquez, Antonio Gonzalez, and Genevieve Carpio. Mexican Americans in Redlands. Charleston, S.C: Arcadia Publishing, 2012, 35.