EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, a “bright idea” from El Paso history is shining a light on the sacrifice of local soldiers who fought — and died — in World War II.
Company E was made up of men and boys, many of whom could not speak English.
Some were from Juarez. The unit was all Hispanic except for the officers, including 1st Lt. John L. Chapin.
Many of the boys had dropped out of Austin, Bowie and El Paso high schools to join the guard because they believed tough battles were ahead and they wanted to be trained.
Company E left El Paso without much fanfare because it was still before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
On Jan. 20, 1944, the men of Company E, 141st Infantry Regiment, prepared for a mission in Italy with orders to cross the Rapido River as part of the 36th Infantry Division’s assault on a heavily fortified German position.
The Rapido River crossing was widely seen as a suicidal mission, but Capt. Chapin led his men across despite staggering odds.
Capt. Chapin was killed while leading his men as they tried to cross the river.
A congressional hearing later examined why the men were sacrificed in the action. The mission was recognized as a mistake, and it was described as an example of how the military learns by learning from its mistakes.
Only a few of Chapin’s men made it across the river.
They were pinned down and needed relief, but it arrived about 15 minutes too late. There was evidence they had run out of ammunition, but they had cleared the way through barbed wire, paving the way for the next group to take their objectives.
Their actions saved lives, but the toll was heavy. Many El Paso men — most of them Hispanic — died or were captured on Jan. 22, 1944.
Amazing America: El Paso’s Company E honored for WWII sacrifice at Italy’s Rapido River
RECOMMENDED: Amazing America 250: How the light bulb changed energy use & shaped modern electricity
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.