Top Exec Blog (Web Log)

On his first day in combat, he navigated his flight crew’s two missions over France on June 6, 1944 --- D-Day. Aboard the “Chris Craft” with his crew for 18 missions, he flew day-time bombing runs over Nazi Germany as the navigator throughout that summer of ’44, until on mission no. 18, they were shot down by enemy fire. The pilot attempted to nurse the plane into Swiss territory from German airspace where they were hit, but for whatever reason they ended up ditching in a potato field in France. Once on the ground, the crew was taken into hiding by the Maquis, France’s resistance. For six weeks, he was listed as MIA by the U.S. Army, and his folks back home were devastated.

Just turned 22 years old two days before D-Day, he came from a small town in California’s delta area, inland from the San Francisco Bay. He grew up as a first-generation Mexican American, one of six children born to two humble, uneducated Mexican people who came to the USA in search of work. Crossing the US/Mexican border with two young infants, in 1918, the couple intended to travel to Washington state to find work, but when they stopped in Antioch word came that work could be found there, and so they stayed. As they settled in, they brought four more kids into the world, Tony being number four of the six.

He grew up in a house full of kids, extended family, music and economic hardship, during the Great Depression, at a time when the US was largely rural, agricultural and still conflicted about the role of immigrants in this great country. California being on the edge of the continent, and for centuries a part of Spain or Mexico, it stood to reason that Mexicans would be welcome, but that was not the case. Just as the Irish, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Oakies and countless other ethnic and economically-challenged groups flocked to the Golden State for opportunity, so too, Mexicans came to work, found their way and became part of the fabric of the USA.

Even before the WW II draft notice came, he was eager to serve his country, attempting to enlist early on, but his folks would not allow it as he was underage. Later, as the war effort needed more soldiers he was drafted, and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps (now the U.S. Air Force), seeking to become a fighter pilot. Despite his desires, he ended up becoming a bomber navigator, and after training in Arizona, Louisiana and other U.S. bases, he made the long flight with his crew and countless others in formation from the U.S. to Brazil, then to west Africa and finally to Great Britain, where he served until the day his bomber was shot down. Ultimately, after six weeks in hiding in France, this young man and his crew were spirited safely out of France and returned to Great Britain by covert U.S. forces.

Not only was he part of the invasion of Europe on that awesomely brave day known as D-Day, Tony was part of what has come to be known as the Greatest Generation. So to him, for his service, and to all veterans who have served this country, no matter what race, ethnicity or origin, we thank you for your service. We honor you for your efforts, and the risk and danger and worry and harm that may have come your way. We appreciate what each one of you has done, in word and deed, to represent and protect us all from those that would attack and hurt us and our country. We count our blessings and thank the Good Lord that each of you found the courage to serve and to protect us, and we pray that you will accept our appreciation, love and respect for all that you gave to your country, and to each of us. May God bless you, Veteran! And in the words of this particular veteran, may we also remember the ones who did not make it home. May their sacrifice and the suffering of their loved ones always remind us of how dear our freedom is, every day.

      
                Tony Cabrera,  1^st Lieutenant, U.S.  Army Air Corps, April 25, 1944

                    Tony Cabrera, 1st trumpet, July 4, 2002, Scotia Band Concert