Meet Simon Velasquez.
Simon enlisted into the Army/Airforce and was assigned to the 379th Bomb Group in December, 1943. He flew several missions over the English Channel. On April 13th, 1944, Simon's B-17 was shot down by a Messerschmitt 109 over Schweinfurt, Germany.
He was able to parachute out of the plane and was carried nearly 80 miles from the wreckage due to high winds. He was badly injured, breaking his legs and several ribs. He was soon captured by the Germans and was placed in Stalag 17. He was one of only five Mexicans in the entire prison camp. He and the rest of the Mexican prisoners were beaten weekly by the Germans who considered him less "human" than the Americans.
He survived 20 months and was eventually rescued by General Patton.
Following the war, he spent two years in a hospital in Denver recovering from his injuries.
My sincere thanks to Mr. Velasquez. It was a great honor to chat with him and shake his hand.
Simon enlisted into the Army/Airforce and was assigned to the 379th Bomb Group in December, 1943. He flew several missions over the English Channel. On April 13th, 1944, Simon's B-17 was shot down by a Messerschmitt 109 over Schweinfurt, Germany.
He was able to parachute out of the plane and was carried nearly 80 miles from the wreckage due to high winds. He was badly injured, breaking his legs and several ribs. He was soon captured by the Germans and was placed in Stalag 17. He was one of only five Mexicans in the entire prison camp. He and the rest of the Mexican prisoners were beaten weekly by the Germans who considered him less "human" than the Americans.
He survived 20 months and was eventually rescued by General Patton.
Following the war, he spent two years in a hospital in Denver recovering from his injuries.
My sincere thanks to Mr. Velasquez. It was a great honor to chat with him and shake his hand.
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