The Draft to Voluntary Service In 1973, President Richard Nixon signed legislation ending the military draft. In the years that followed, an increasing number of Latinos began enlisting in the country’s volunteer armed forces. It was not just their patriotism that was a motivation, it was also the recognition of the value of these young men and women in American uniforms. “For decades, the U.S. military has targeted communities of color for recruitment. Latinos, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, make up about 18% of the active-duty force. The numbers are even higher in the Marine Corps, in which Hispanics make up 24% of active-duty members.” Earning American Citizenship Military service has also provided the means (for some) to begin the process of escaping poverty and moving into the middle class. Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta was one Latino who certainly saw this possibility, even if he knew the potential sacrifice. He was killed in action on November 15, 2004, while fighting in Fallujah, Iraq. While Peralta’s name and act of heroism—pulling a grenade into his chest to shield his fellow Marines from harm—are well known in the Marine Corps and Latino community, less well known are the reasons for his enlistment. Born in Mexico City and brought to Tijuana as a young boy, Peralta was often described by family members as a bright and outgoing young man who wanted to someday become a lawyer. In an interview for the 2007 documentary “An Act of Honor,” his sister Icela described her brother as someone who wanted to be a Marine because military service was the most likely way that he would be able to pay for college and “help his family get ahead.” While he was not an American citizen when he enlisted, he earned his citizenship during his military service. To honor his bravery and sacrifice, the USS Rafael Peralta, a Navy missile destroyer, was launched on October 31, 2015. Sgt. Peralta is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) successfully completed acceptance trials after spending two days underway off the coast of Maine, December 16, 2016. (Photo courtesy © U.S. Department of the Navy)
260
San Diego Latino Legacy – Timeline • Milestones • Stories
Chapter 7 – Notables Chapter 9 – Proudly We Serve
261
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator