Asturians under American flag
Historical page about of those young people of Asturian origin who participated with the US in World War II.
Luciano Prida was born in Tampa (Florida) on October 15, 1924. His parents, Luciano Prida Alonso (Pintueles, 1898) and Josefa González Muñiz (San Juan de Beleño, 1900) died early due to tuberculosis, and Luciano was adopted, with 8 years old, by his uncles Venancio and Ramona Arduengo.
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Luciano studied at Jefferson High School in Tampa, being an outstanding student both in studies and in sports. With his height of 1.81 meters, he was part of the Jefferson Dragons basketball team from 1941 until his enlistment on June 23, 1943.
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He joined Camp Blanding (Florida) in July 1943 and continued through different infantry training centers such as Fort McClellan (Alabama) and Fort Meade (Maryland) until December 6, when he was transferred to Camp Shanks (New York) for transfer to the Pacific Front as part of the 172nd Infantry Regiment of the 43rd Division.
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With this unit he would participate in 3 Campaigns in the Pacific, New Caledonia, New Guinea and the Philippines, being wounded in March 1945 during the fighting in Luzón and discharged at Camp Butner (North Carolina) in December 1945, once he recovered from his wounds.
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Luciano would marry Alicia Martínez on August 18, 1946 in Hillsborough and the couple would have four children, Luciano Jr., Xavier, Alicia and Mónica. He would finish his accounting studies at the University of Florida, founding his own company, Prida & Guida Co, this being a highly prestigious company in the city of Tampa and his great work and career being recognized.
Luciano Leopoldo Prida Sr. died on January 3, 2015 in Tampa (Florida)
Luciano Prida nació en Tampa (Florida) el 15 de octubre de 1924. Sus padres, Luciano Prida Alonso (Pintueles, 1898) y Josefa Gonzalez Muñiz (San Juan de Beleño, 1900) fallecieron tempranamente a causa de tuberculosis, siendo Luciano adoptado, con 8 años, por sus tíos Venancio y Ramona Arduengo.
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Luciano cursó estudios en el Jefferson High School de Tampa, siendo un alumno destacado tanto en los estudios como en el deporte, con su altura de 1,81 metros formaría parte del equipo de baloncesto Jefferson Dragons desde 1941 hasta su alistamiento el 23 de junio de 1943.
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Se incorporó en Camp Blanding (Florida) en julio de 1943 y continuó por distintos centros de entrenamiento de infantería como Fort McClellan (Alabama) y Fort Meade (Maryland) hasta el 6 de diciembre, fecha en la que es trasladado al Camp Shanks (New York) para su traslado al Frente del Pacifico como parte del 172 Regimiento de Infantería de la 43 Division.
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Con esta unidad participaría en 3 campañas del Pacifico, Nueva Caledonia, Nueva Guinea y Filipinas, siendo herido en marzo de 1945 durante los combates de Luzón y licenciado en Camp Butner (Carolina del Norte) en diciembre de 1945, una vez recuperado de sus heridas.
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Luciano contraería matrimonio con Alicia Martínez el 18 de agosto de 1946 en Hillsborough y el matrimonio tendría cuatro hijos, Luciano Jr., Xavier, Alicia y Mónica. Finalizaría sus estudios de contable en la Universidad de Florida, fundando su propia empresa, Prida & Guida Co, siendo esta una empresa de gran prestigio en la ciudad de Tampa y siendo reconocida su gran labor y carrera. Luciano Leopoldo Prida Sr. falleció el 3 de enero de 2015 en Tampa (Florida).