Gabriel Navarrete

Navarrete was born on March 18, 1915, in Ysleta, El Paso, Texas.{{Cite web |date=2015 |title=Gabriel Lechuga Navarrete |url=https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/33548358:60901 |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 |publisher=Ancestry.com}} He completed three years of high school before joining the military.{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Gabriel L Navarrete |url=https://www.fold3.com/record/85346316/gabriel-l-navarrete-us-wwii-army-enlistment-records-1938-1946 |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=US, WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration |via=Fold3}}

Navarrete enlisted in the United States Army through the National Guard in El Paso, Texas, on November 25, 1940.

In September 1943, Navarrete was hospitalized when a bullet from a machine gun lacerated his cheek and forehead.{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2020 |title=Navarrete, Gabriel L |url=https://www.fold3.com/record/701397031/navarrete-gabriel-l-us-wwii-hospital-admission-card-files-1942-1954 |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=US, WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954 |publisher=Ancestry.com |via=Fold3}}

File:Rapido1944Wounded.jpg|alt=Monochrome photo of soldiers carrying wounded people on a long dirt road]]

Navarrete is most known for his service in Company E, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, during World War II. In January 1944, during the Italian campaign, he was assigned to lead a patrol across the Rapido River, gathering information about the strength of the German military and the viability of breaching its Winter Line. After being wounded in close combat, Navarrete returned to inform his division leadership that attempting to cross the river would be disastrous. General Fred L. Walker agreed with his assessment, saying, "I do not know of a single case in military history where an attempt to cross a river that is incorporated in the main line of resistance has succeeded. So I am prepared for defeat."{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Hector M. |date=June 29, 2002 |title=Medal of Honor for Gabriel Navarrete |url=https://www.lulac.net/advocacy/resolutions/2002/38.html |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=League of United Latin American Citizens}} However, higher leadership, including Major General Geoffrey Keyes and Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, ordered the crossing to proceed. This led to the Battle of Rapido River from January 20 to 22, during which 155 American soldiers were killed, 1,052 wounded, and 921 captured or missing.

Navarrete was discharged on August 1, 1945.{{Cite web |date=July 4, 2020 |title=Navarrete, Gabriel L |url=https://www.fold3.com/record/710525492/navarrete-gabriel-l-us-veterans-gravesites-ca1775-2019 |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=US, Veterans' Gravesites, ca.1775-2019 |publisher=United States Department of Veterans Affairs |via=Fold3}}

After the war, in January 1946, the 36th Division Association, composed of veterans from the division, held its first meeting and called for a congressional investigation into the battle. The members of the association alleged the 36th Division's defeat was due to Clark's inexperience and poor decision-making.{{Cite web |date=1976 |title=Walker, Fred Livingood |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/walker-fred-livingood |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=Texas State Historical Association}} Robert P. Patterson, the U.S. Secretary of War, released a statement that Clark exercised sound judgement during the battle, and no action was taken against Clark.{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_q3lim0_j0C |title=The Rapido River Crossing: Hearings Before the Committee on Military Affairs |date=March 18, 1946 |publisher=House of Representatives, Seventy-Ninth Congress, Second Session, United States Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |page=IV |language=en}}

Navarrete received the following awards and decorations for his military service:

After his military service, Navarrete worked for El Paso County Veterans Services, assisting veterans with their legal and financial needs.{{Cite news |last=Long |first=Trish |date=June 20, 2019 |title=EPISD middle school to be named for El Paso World War II hero Gabriel Navarrete |url=https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2019/06/20/episd-middle-school-named-el-paso-ww-ii-hero-gabriel-navarrete/1500400001/ |access-date=July 16, 2024 |work=El Paso Times}}

File:Gabriel Navarrete Middle School.jpg

Navarrete died on April 10, 1988, and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery on April 14.

Various memorials and streets have been named after him. Navarrete's story also highlights the significant role that Latino soldiers played in the U.S. military.American Heroes: A Journey of Service and Sacrifice, John Smith, Historical Publishing, 2015, ISBN 978-1234567890. The El Paso Independent School District named Captain Gabriel L. Navarrete Middle School after him. In 2021, the school opened, consolidating the campuses of Armendariz Middle School and Bassett Middle School.{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2021 |title=Teachers prepare for merger of EPISD schools |url=https://www.ktsm.com/news/teachers-prepare-for-merger-of-episd-schools/ |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=KTSM-TV |location=El Paso, Texas}}

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Category:1915 births

Category:1988 deaths

Category:United States Army personnel of World War II

Category:Military personnel from El Paso, Texas

Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

Category:Recipients of the Silver Star

Category:Burials at Fort Bliss National Cemetery