Aranza, Frank; McKnight, Evelyn (fiance/fiancee). Discovery Green, 2009-12-18T14:30:00

File — Interview-ID: MBY006072

Interview Description

Frank Aranza (80) is interviewed by Evelyn McKnight (81) about growing up in Houston, TX and enlisting in the military at 15 years old.

Facilitator Subject Log

1:00 Facilitator, Nina Porzucki reads a paper describing Frank's family history

10:00 Frank was born on the northside of Houston; school in Houston; segregated from other students because he was not able to speak English

17:08 Americans of Mexican descent; enlisted in the Air Force at age 15, lied about his age

24:00 parachute rigger school; only Mexican in his squadron; perfecting his English in the mirror, practicing the Gettysburg Address

32:35 Mexican population proving that they were loyal to the U.S.; street named Macario García for a soldier who was awarded honors during the war; Macario was once refused service at a restaurant for being Hispanic