An illegal immigrant-resident alien becomes a national military hero in
WWII, awarded the Medal of Honor, and uses his new-found fame to become
a civil rights hero. He inspires his entire generation of Mexican
Americans to straighten their backs, lift their heads and see new
possibilities they were emboldened to pursue. Achievements were attained
that have been dismissed by the Black/White Paradigm; hence, comparative
analysis between Mexican American and African American civil rights
history has been explored and conclusions presented. His military and
civil rights legacy is relevant to today's hottest issue, immigration
reform.