Asturians under American flag
Historical page about of those young people of Asturian origin who participated with the US in World War II.
Manuel Fernández García Jr. was born in Tampa (Florida) on February 13, 1916. His parents, Manuel Alonso García and Ramona Fernández Lopez, both from Lobio (Grado—Asturias). They emigrated to Florida in 1915, settled in Hillsborough County and the couple had three sons and a daughter.
Manuel F. García studied at Hillsborough High School and would work at the family restaurant "Atlanta Restaurant", located in West Tampa, until his enlistment on June 14, 1942.
In December 1943 he was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations framed as a cook in the 44 Fighter Squadron of the 13 Air Force, stationed in the Philippines until his discharge on December 23, 1945.
In the attached photograph, he is in the Pacific with his brother Marcelino F. García (Left.), stationed in the Americal Division as S/Sergeant.
On his return to the US, he continued with the family business and married Estelle Eckert in 1951, a marriage from which two daughters and a son were born. He received an accounting degree from the University of Florida and was employed by WTVT, Campoamor Modern Diary and Florida Retail Owner Grocers.
Manuel F. García would pass away at the age of 80 on December 5, 1996 and his remains rest in the Florida National Cemetery
Manuel Fernández García Jr. Nace en Tampa (Florida) el 13 de febrero de 1916. Sus padres, Manuel Alonso García y Ramona Fernández Lopez ambos de Lobio (Grado—Asturias). Emigraron a Florida en 1915, se establecieron en Hillsborough County y el matrimonio tuvo tres hijos y una hija.
Manuel F. García cursó estudios en el Hillsborough High School y trabajaría en el restaurante familiar “Atlanta Restaurant”, ubicado en West Tampa, hasta su alistamiento el 14 de junio de 1942.
En diciembre de 1943 es destinado al Teatro de Operaciones del pacifico encuadrado como cocinero en el 44 Fighter Squadron de la 13 Fuerza Aérea, estacionado en Filipinas hasta su licenciamiento el 23 de diciembre de 1945.
En la fotografía anexa se encuentra en el Pacifico con su hermano Marcelino F. García (Izda.), destinado en la Americal Division como S/Sergeant.
A su regreso a EEUU continua con el negocio familiar y contrae matrimonio en 1951 con Estelle Eckert, matrimonio del cual nacen dos hijas y un hijo. Recibió un título en contabilidad en la universidad de Florida y fue empleado por WTVT, Campoamor Modern Diary y Florida Retail Owner Grocers.
Manuel F. García fallecería a los 80 años el día 5 de diciembre de 1996 y sus restos descansan en el Florida National Cemetery.