Alien's Personal History and Statement, a four page form
submitted on 2 June 1942, was signed by Jose Cruz Amaya and endorsed by
a Col. A. W. Hoffe. Cruz, aka Jose Cruz, came
into the county on 18 April 1918 as an infant when his parents entered
the U.S. at Laredo, TX.
Amaya stated that he had an 8th grade education and
supported himself selling popcorn and ice cream by "peddling in my
wagon." This is consistent with his enlistment record which
classified his occupation as "Huckster and Peddler."
He also indicated that he had recently been employed
as a laborer, dishwasher and assistant cook in three San Antonio
businesses.
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Application for a grave marker and resulting
stone for Pvt Cruz Amaya in San Fernando Cemetery #2, San Antonio (Bexar
county), Texas.
Cruz, a native of Ciudad Victoria (Tamaulipas)
Mexico enlisted in the Army at Fort Sam Houston, TX on 8 May 1943 and
was assigned to Hq 2nd, 508 PIR.
On 30 September 1943 Pvt Amaya was transferred
to the 69th Infantry Division at Camp Shelby, MS. Perhaps determined
to be part of the 82nd Airborne, he subsequently transferred to Company
C, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment.
As such he went into Normandy on D-day
aboard a glider and entered combat, perhaps in the vicinity of the 508th
in places such as Timmes orchard where members of the 508th and 325th
fought side by side.
Pvt Amaya was killed in action on June
9, 1944 and was awarded the Purple Heart.
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