Scope and Contents

Book titled They Answered the Call: Latinos in the Vietnam War by Gil Dominguez documents the role of Hispanics veterans who fought in the Vietnam War, signed by author.

Biographical / Historical

Gil Dominguez was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1948. In 1967, he volunteered for the Army, in which he served two years, nine months, including 366 days in Vietnam. Assigned as a Specialist Four, Dominguez served with a number of combat engineer units, including the 86th Engineer Battalion of the 20th Engineer Brigade. He worked briefly in battalion personnel before transferring to a construction company, where he did some minor construction work, followed by an assignment in supply and security details. While in Southeast Asia, he was stationed in the Mekong Delta near Dong Tam, as well as installations in Cu Chi and finally Lai Khe. He was involved in the beginning of President Nixon's program of 'Vietnamization,' which included the withdrawal of American troops, although he was not one of the soldiers who came home early. Dominguez received the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Vietnam Civil Action Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. In 1970, he was released from active duty as a Specialist Five. His last assignment was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, however, he was assigned to Ready Reserve (inactive) status for another three years, officially being discharged (honorably) in 1973. After Vietnam, he still had approximately eight months in his enlistment, which was served out at Fort Sill until he started college in September 1970. After attending college for four years, he received his degree in 1974 and began work in the private sector. In 1980, he started a civil service career, which he still continues. Currently, he is a public affairs specialist and writer/editor with the Air Force in San Antonio, and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and an inactive member of Post 76 in San Antonion, Texas.