dfd (Photo courtesy TK)
Our Stories
M anuel “Nay” Hernandez, a Logan Heights native and San Diego High School graduate, was killed in the final months of World War II—the only former Padres player to die in military combat. Born on October 12, 1919, Nay was one of 15 siblings whose family loved baseball, as did the neighboring family of Tony Millan, who recalls his father’s fond memories of playing baseball in makeshift baseball fields in Logan Heights.
San Diego Padres, A Gallant Hero Manuel “Nay” Hernandez U.S. Army Sgt.
Growing up, Tony’s Uncle Tino and Nay were close friends and graduated from Memorial Junior High School in 1934, as well as playing for the school baseball team. They also joined Millan’s father Tony as members of Cramer’s Bakery, a semi-pro team sponsored by a popular neighborhood bakery and managed by Millan’s grandfather. Standing 2 nd from right, Nay Hernandez, Kneeling 2 nd from right, childhood friend Tony Millan, Cramer’s Bakery Baseball Team, 1934 (Photo courtesy©Tony Millan Collection)
U.S. Army Sgt. Albert A. Banuelos, Jr., Killed in action, saving another soldier’s life South Vietnam, September 19, 1968 (Photo courtesy©Tony Millan Collection)
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San Diego Latino Legacy – Timeline • Milestones • Stories
Chapter 9 – Proudly We Serve
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