USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 1948, García founded the American GI Forum, organizing veterans to fight for educational and medical benefits, and later, against poll taxes and school segregation. A proud member of the Greatest Generation, García sought the inclusion of Mexican Americans into mainstream America.

Detailed explanation-2: -The American GI Forum was created by Dr. Hector P. Garcia because of the discrimination in South Texas towards the Mexican-American with employment, education, and Veteran hospital treatment. Most of the discrimination was towards Hispanics, but the American GI Forum was focused on the Mexican-American veteran.

Detailed explanation-3: -Dr. Hector Perez Garcia (1914-1996) was an advocate for Hispanic-American rights during the Chicano movement. He was the first Mexican-American member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and was awarded the Medal of Freedom.

Detailed explanation-4: -He entered active duty in 1942 and served with the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Europe and North Africa during World War II. Dr. Garcia received several commendations for outstanding service, including one citation that praised his devotion to duty and “desire to do more than his share.”

Detailed explanation-5: -On March 26, 1948, 700 Mexican-American veterans, led by Hector P. Garcia, met in Corpus Christi and organized the American G.I. Forum, a civil-rights organization devoted to securing equal rights for Hispanic Americans.