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The Ghosts of Hero Street
  • Published: 6 May 2014
  • ISBN: 9781101593035
  • Imprint: PEN US eBook Adult
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 336
Categories:

The Ghosts of Hero Street

How One Small Mexican-American Community Gave So Much in World War II and Korea

Formats & editions
Paperback
15 Jan 2017
EBook
6 May 2014
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The trade paperback edition of THE GHOSTS OF HERO STREET, the inspiring true story of a group of WWII and Korean War Mexican-American soldiers from the small street in Illinois that sent more of its boys into battle than any other place its size in the country. Today, it is known as Hero Street.

They came from one street in Silvis, Illinois, but death found them in many places . . .

. . .in a distant jungle, a frozen forest, and trapped in the flaming wreckage of a bomber blown from the sky. One died going over a fence during the greatest paratrooper assault in history. Another fell in the biggest battle of World War II. Yet another, riddled with bullets in an audacious act of heroism during a decisive onslaught a world, and a war, away.

All came from a single street in a railroad town called Silvis, Illinois, a tiny stretch of dirt barely a block-and-a-half long, with an unparalleled history.

The twenty-two Mexican-American families who lived on that one street sent fifty-seven of their children to fight in World War II and Korea—more than any other place that size anywhere in the country. Eight of those children died.

It’s a distinction recognized by the Department of Defense, and it earned that rutted, unpaved strip a distinguished name. Today it’s known as Hero Street.

This is the story of those brave men and their families, how they fought both in battle and to be accepted in an American society that remained biased against them even after they returned home as heroes. Based on interviews with relatives, friends, and soldiers who served alongside the men, as well as personal letters and photographs, The Ghosts of Hero Street is the compelling and inspiring account of a street of soldiers—and men—who would not be denied their dignity or their honor.
  • Published: 6 May 2014
  • ISBN: 9781101593035
  • Imprint: PEN US eBook Adult
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 336
Categories:

Praise for The Ghosts of Hero Street

"Thank you to Carlos Harrison for telling this important story of the brave young Mexican-Americans from western Illinois who left their immigrant families behind and volunteered to serve their country during World War II. While many made the ultimate sacrifice and died fighting to preserve the freedom of our great nation, the story of Hero Street is also about the perseverance and values of the families and community they left behind in Silvis. It is truly because of the sacrifices made by families like those who have called Hero Street home, and the brave young men from Hero Street who put their lives on the line for us, that the American Dream is still alive today."--Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

"Carlos Harrison's book is a wonderful American story of the extraordinary sacrifices made by a group of Mexican Americans living in a 2 block area in Silvis, Illinois. I had the privilege of representing the area in Congress when we changed the name of the Street from 2nd Street to Hero Street. Their contributions to our country are a shining example of patriotism at its best. At a time when there is still name calling about some of our immigrants it is a story that needed to be told."--Former U.S. Rep. Tom Railsback

"When our servicemen and women risk their lives for the security of our families and communities, we must stop and reflect on the immensity of their sacrifice. The Ghost of Hero Street reminds us why we must be appreciative, and teaches us how we should say thank you." --Former HUD secretary and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros