A story about a Cuban 101st Screaming Eagle

PFC Antonio Munoz was born in Camagüey, Cuba, on September 16, 1916. At the time when he was drafted, on October 16, 1940, he was not a U.S. citizen yet. On his Draft Card, at the country of citizenship column, it is mentioned he was “an alien”. After his enlistment on July 23, 1941, at Camp Upton, Yaphank, New York, he became a 101st Screaming Eagle, of Fox Company, 502nd PIR. 

Featured image: PFC Munoz, a 101st Screaming Eagle with a Cuban background (Courtesy of the Nicholas J. Neises Family).

Somewhere at the beginning of November 1944, while Fox Company was on the line at the southeast of Andelst, on the Island, the Netherlands, they had an unexpected visit. LTC Allen Ginder, the regimental S3, arrived at the Fox Company position with several reporters from the well-known Life Magazine. The reporters of the magazine wanted to get some pictures of German soldiers being taken prisoners of war. A patrol of F/502 paratroopers went on its way, together with LTC Ginder and the reporters. After a short while, they came across a German patrol. After killing several Germans the others of the enemy’s patrol surrendered themselves. While these men were taken away, the whole party came under fire from the German lines. 

In a letter to fellow paratrooper and author George Koskimaki after the war, SGT Howard Matthews recalled that moment.

“LTC Ginder was wounded in the hip and leg. He was carried back with several other men from the squad. The Life Magazine people were unhappy because they were not used to being shot at. LTC Ginder was unhappy because he got shot. But then, as if struck by lightning, the Life Magazine people were happy when I gave them six Germans to take back with them.” 

None of the Fox Company troopers were wounded, but all knew it was a risky operation, trying to catch several enemy soldiers to please some journalists. It was the reason why SGT Matthews mentioned to PFC Norm Swaney and PFC Munoz before heading out —“I don’t like this.” 

A funny story 

Being just recently a resident in the U.S., PFC Munoz did not master the English language very well. In the same letter to George Koskimaki, SGT Matthews remembered a funny story in regard to his Cuban friend.

“Munoz didn’t speak too much English. I remember the password was ‘Wasp’. Well, he was out on a night patrol and coming back into the lines, he was asked for the password. He yelled out, ‘It looks like a honeybee.’”

This is a short story about one of Fox Company’s paratroopers, PFC Antonio Munoz, as described in the book: From the Frying Pan to Mittersill, Fox Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (1942 – 1945). If you are interested in learning more about PFC Antonio Munoz and other brave Fox Company paratroopers, order your copy now!