We remember P.F.C. Joseph Gomez who was born on November 13, 1929. He served with Co. K 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Joe was awarded a Silver Star for gallant action against the enemy on May 17, 1951. He was killed on May 28, 1951--71 years ago.
Joe Gomez's brother Raul said, "They didn't give out many Silver Stars to Mexican-American privates, so you know he died heroically. He used to love to charge up Billy Goat Hill [on 2nd Street] to drive off the enemy. When the army in Korea needed someone to charge up Bunker Hill, they had the right man. Joe was a tough, heroic fighter who loved America." (from HERO STREET, USA by Marc Wilson)
V.F.W Ybarra-Gomez Post 8890 in East Moline, Illinois is named in his honor.
Memorial Day weekend is a time to pay tribute to those who died serving in the military. Located on the corner of Second Street and 1st Avenue in Silvis, the Hero Street Memorial Monument is a beautiful place to sit, reflect, honor and remember the Hero Street Eight and those service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
A Memorial Day Service will be held on Monday, May 30th at 11:00 a.m. at Hero Street Memorial Park on Hero Street (2nd Street) in Silvis, Illinois.
Only a block and a half long, Hero Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America of any size. Hero Street has provided nearly 200 American military service members since World War II.
Hero Street, a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the personal and family sagas behind each of the eight heroes and tells the compelling true story of an ongoing struggle to memorialize Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.
The series combines interviews with family members, friends, veterans, community leaders and historians with vintage photos, film, and archival materials to tell an unforgettable story of American courage, character and perseverance.
An Infantryman from Hero Street (part 4) in the Hero Street series will premiere this fall. Follow Hero Street Documentary Series on Facebook for updates.
To order the DVD or stream Riding the Rails to Hero Street (part 1), A Bridge too Far from Hero Street: William Sandoval's Story, or Fourth Wall Films' Emmy®-nominated and award-winning film Letters Home to Hero Street (co-produced with Lora Adams and WQPT), CLICK HERE!