JOHN HERNANDEZ VELEZ
Veteran for March 2009
John Hernandez Velez was born to Sabino and Maria Hernandez Velez in Rocksprings, Texas on May 15, 1924, four years before the start of the Great Depression. His father known as Chapo, was a working cowboy for the United States Army. John grew up and attended school in Rocksprings, an area known as the wool and mohair center of the state of Texas, where he learned the work and trade of sheep and goat shearing. An occupation still needed in this day and time, but with skilled craftsman becoming more and more rare.
The family had moved to Knox County where they were involved in a farming operation when the United States entered World War II. A lot of people in Knox County were enlisting in the military or being drafted. John, being a minor, began to pester his parents to sign for him to enlist. He finally convinced them that he would be drafted anyway and if he enlisted he would at least get to choose his branch of service.
On November 22, 1943, John and his good friend, Sam Ed Carpenter, entered the Marines. After basic training in San Diego, John and Sam considered themselves fortunate to remain together when they were sent to Hawaii for amphibious training. Because of his farm experience John was trained as an Amtrak train operator.
In January 1945 John boarded a ship and set out to sea with an unknown destination. On February 19, 1945 his ship landed on Iwo Jima where he took part in one of the costliest battles of WWII. The allies suffered 6,891 casualties and over 18,000 wounded. On February 23, 1945 at 1020 hours the flag of the United States of America was raised over the island as John listened to the ships blowing their horns and firing small guns while the Marines cheered their victory.
Still on Iwo Jima on March 22, 1945, John met up with his old friend from Knox County, Sam Ed Carpenter. They discussed their plans to leave the island on March 26th. Sadly Sam was killed on March 25th. John returned to Hawaii to prepare for the invasion of the Japanese mainland, but the war ended before that was necessary.
In April 1946 John was given his last pay check of $100.00, a bus ticket for $17.30 and his discharge. He went home to marry his sweetheart, Ramona Rivas, on June 9, 1946. They raised nine children in their Catholic faith. In November 2001 John was recognized for his services by the United States Government. In 2003, 60 years after enlisting in the Marines, John received his high school diploma.
When John's recognition by this firm and the Disabled American Veterans organization was publicized in the local newspaper the article was read by the daughter of Sam Ed Carpenter. She came to the ceremony to see John and his family and to become a part of the ongoing bond between her father and his friend.
Though John is referred to as a hero, he believes that the true heroes are the men who didn't make it off that island. He thinks about Sam Ed often and wonders why he was allowed to walk off that island when Sam and so many others did not.
