The Ghosts of Hero Street

How One Small Mexican-American Community Gave So Much in World War II and Korea

By: Carlos Harrison

Narrated by: Robert Fass

They came from one street, but death found them in many places: in a distant jungle, a frozen forest, and trapped in the flaming wreckage of a bomber blown from the sky. One died going over a fence during the greatest paratrooper assault in history. Another fell in the biggest battle of World War II. Yet another, riddled with bullets in an audacious act of heroism during a decisive onslaught a world, and a war, away.

All came from a single street in a railroad town called Silvis, Illinois, a tiny stretch of dirt barely a block-and-a-half long, with an unparalleled history.

The 22 Mexican American families who lived on that one street sent 57 of their children to fight in World War II and Korea - more than any other place that size anywhere in the country. Eight of those children died.

It's a distinction recognized by the Department of Defense, and it earned that rutted, unpaved strip a distinguished name. Today it's known as Hero Street.

This is the story of those brave men and their families, how they fought both in battle and to be accepted in an American society that remained biased against them even after they returned home as heroes. Based on interviews with relatives, friends, and soldiers who served alongside the men, as well as personal letters and photographs, The Ghosts of Hero Street is the compelling and inspiring account of a street of soldiers - and men - who would not be denied their dignity or their honor.

©2014 Carlos Harrison (P)2014 Tantor

A book tor remember

In my 80 years I have read thousands of books, most are forgotten,but the important ones stay with me years, long after I put them back on the shelf. I expect Hero Street will be remembered. WWII was the first worldly event that imprinted my young life. Ithasbeen the reason I loved history as a child and will right to my end of my days. Hero Street gets to my heart and mind in its complex story telling. Bravo!