Louis and Josephine Maldonado in their home (likely in the 1990s)

Louis and Josephine Maldonado Wedding - December 8, 1945

Louis Maldonado and Josephine Elias Maldonado at Wedding

Louis and Josephine October 1945 shortly after discharge from the Army

Louis M Maldonado at time of Induction to Army

Louis Maldonado and friend in North Africa 1943

Fort Bayard National Cemetery

Santa Fe National Cemetery

Louis Maldonado
US Army Service Record

Source: Form 3452 Discharge Papers Primarily, but also family information supplemented by research of the military engagements and find-a-grave information posted about Louis’ brother Lorenzo Maldonado – PFC – 358 th Infantry, 90th Inf. Division (see supporting information below) who is buried at Ft. Bliss, TX national cemetery 

Louis Martinez Maldonado was born June 20, 1919 in Leasburg, New Mexico (Near Las Cruces).  During his childhood, he moved with his mother to Hanover, New Mexico.  He was drafted into the United States Army on November 6, 1941 at the age of 22. He completed basic training at Camp Roberts in California. He was assigned and trained in the Army Corps of Engineers and his military occupational specialty was 804 camouflage technician.  He trained and served in the continental United States until he unit deployed with the 904th Engineer Battalion to North Africa on February 8, 1943.  His unit arrived in North Africa on February 19, 1943.  From there Louis participated in the following World War II battles and campaigns: Tunisian (Nov 1942 to May 1943 – see supporting info below), Sicilian (July 9 to August 17, 1943), Naples-Foggia (9 September 1943-21 January 1944), Rome-Arno (22 January-9 September 1944).  While Louis was engaged in the Rome-Arno campaign in Italy, his elder brother, Lorenzo landed on Omaha Beach at Normandy, France as part of the D-Day invasion with the 358th Infantry Regiment and was killed in action a few days later in heavy fighting on June 10, 1944.  Louis was informed by a friend from Hanover New Mexico (presumably also serving in Italy) of his brother’s death.  Louis Maldonado received the following Decorations and Citations:  Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern {EAME} Theater Campaign Ribbon (with 4 bronze stars – each bronze star on the ribbon represents a different campaign he participated in – listed above).  He served through the end of the war and returned home on June 10, 1945 and was honorably discharged at Ft Bliss, Texas on June 27, 1945.  He was overseas 2 years, four months and 11 days. His rank at the time he was discharged was Private First Class.  Luis married the love of his life Josephine Elias not long after he returned from war.  Louis and Josephine have two sons, William and Art.  They also adopted four children: Dicky, Lucy, Emma and Natalia all whom they loved and raised as their own. Louis died in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico on December 7, 2008.


LUIS M MALDONADO

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