Technician Fourth Grade (T4) Manuel B. Aguilera

Born: 20 December 1919, Deming, New Mexico

Death: 26 May 1996

Tec 4 Manuel Barela Aguilera was born in Deming, New Mexico on 20 December 1919. He was the son of Jesus and Chonita Aguilera, and was of both Chiricahua Apache and Mexican-American descent.

According to the 1940 Census he worked for the Works Progress Administration. With the coming of World War II Tec 4 Aguilera enlisted in the U.S. Army at Ft. Bliss, Texas on 29 December 1942. At the time he was married to Josephina Trujillo, lived in Hurley, and worked at the power plant of the Nevada Copper Mine in Hurley, New Mexico. He served in the 9th Army in Germany and worked as a tank mechanic. Tec 4 Aguilera was part of and received commendations for service in the Ardennes, Rhineland Campaign, and Central Europe Campaigns. The Deming Headlight noted on two occasions that he sent German souvenirs home to his wife and children, including “German and French currency, two German rifles, two bayonets, two German spades, a German flag, and medals.[i]

Tec 4 Aguilera was discharged after serving for 30 months and returned to Hurley, where he worked at Chino Mines until his retirement in 1975. He enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and camping. He died on 26 May 1996 in Hurley. He is buried at FBNC, Section F, Row L, Site 2. His wife Josephina and son Manny are also interred at FBNC.

Images & Documents

Notes:

Prepared by Dr. Andy Hernández, Professor of History, Western New Mexico University

Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Legacy Memorial, Find Your Veteran

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/MANUELBAGUILERA/0C6A6D5

[i] The Deming Headlight, May 4, 1945 and August 3, 1945.

[1] “Manuel B. Aguilera,” Find A Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262444/manuel-b-aguilera, accessed August 4, 2023.

[1] “Manuel B. Aguilera,” Veterans Legacy Memorial. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/MANUELBAGUILERA/0C6A6D5, accessed August 3, 1945.