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Interviewee
Martinez, Augustine
Document Type
Oral History
Date of Interview
11-14-2002
Abstract
Augustine Martinez was born on 28 August 1919 in Zaragoza, Coahuila, Mexico, one of eleven children of Mexican parents. His family, migrant workers, moved to St. Paul when Augustine was seven. Augustine completed the sixth grade, then held a number of jobs, including at the meatpacking houses in South St. Paul, before starting in 1943 at American Hoist and Derrick in St. Paul. In May 1944, with a wife and two children, Augustine was drafted into the US Army. Following Basic Training, Augustine was made a rifleman. In January 1945 Augustine shipped out to Europe and joined Company C, 264th Engineer Battalion, 65th Infantry Division. This unit saw action in Germany until V-E Day in May 1945. Following several months in France, in November 1945 Augustine was shipped back to the US and discharged, with the rank of private first class. Again a civilian, Augustine returned to production work at American Hoist and Derrick in St. Paul, retiring in 1980 with thirty-seven years of service. He raised his family in St. Paul, and remained in the city after his retirement. Augustine is a member of AMVETS Post 5, St. Paul.
Copyright
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced without the written permission of Concordia University Library or Thomas Saylor, Department of History, Concordia University, St. Paul.
Recommended Citation
Saylor, Thomas, "Oral History Project World War II Years, 1941-1946 - Augustine Martinez" (2002). Oral History Project: World War II Years, 1941-1946. 117.
https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/oral-history_ww2/117
PDF Transcript of Interview with Augustine Martinez