Captain Reynaldo Frederico Gonzalez
Reynaldo F Gonzalez was born on April 27, 1911 to Mr. and Mrs. AE Gonzalez. He grew up in Lemitar NM and graduated from Socorro HS in 1930. He entered NMAMC and in May 1934 graduated with a BS in Biology from the College of Agriculture. He went to work for the cooperative extension service. In 1941 when called to active duty with the activation of the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard, he was the Taos County Extension Agent.
In the spring of 1940, the 111th Cavalry of the NM National Guard was converted to the 200th Coast Artillery Regiment and on January 6, 1941, he and the other members were inducted into federal service and immediately sent to the Anti-Aircraft Training Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. In August, the 200th CA was dispatched to the Philippines.
On December 8, 1941, only nine hours after the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, the 200th CA engaged Japanese bombers at Clark Field and Fort Stotsenberg, becoming the first unit to go into action in defense of the U.S. flag in the Philippines. On April 9, 1942, the weakened survivors from the combined American and Filipino forces were unconditionally surrendered to the Japanese.
The next day on April 10th, 1942, Captain Reynaldo F Gonzalez was among a group of men from the 200th that were shipped by truck to Camp O’Donnell. After arrival the men were given a shakedown inspection. Captain Gonzalez was found to have Japanese invasion pesos in his possession. A group of men from the 200th CA, each of whom was found with Japanese items in their possession were placed on the side of the road and immediately executed. His body was never recovered. He is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery Tablet of the Missing Memorial. He was 33 years of age at the time of his death.
Historical Source: Bataan Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jack W. Bradley, 515th Coast Artillery, who, despite a debilitating illness, wrote the history — engraved on three of the columns