“I would have to say that it was one big brotherhood, and we all stuck together.” (Audio interview, 47:08)

Anthony D. Lopez

Anthony D. Lopez in uniform, Ft. Benning, GA [4/1943] War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Unit: 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team Service Location: Camp Roberts, California; Fort Benning Georgia; Australia; New Guinea; Pacific Theater Rank: Staff Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Anthony Lopez was eager to help out with the war effort, and joined the Army immediately after graduating from high school in 1943. He chose the Army because it was “the fastest way to go” as they had an induction center near his home. Assigned to the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Lopez experienced months of brutal combat in the Pacific Theater. The 503rd conducted an airborne assault on the island of Noemfoor, where they fought for three weeks to establish control over a valuable airstrip. Lopez and the rest of his regiment also endured intense fighting on four different Philippine islands: Leyte, Mindoro, Corregidor, and Negros Island. Lopez was awarded the Bronze Star for rescuing a wounded soldier under heavy fire on Corregidor, and was wounded himself in the process.