PFC US Marine Corps, Thomasita N. Chavez Cata
Born: November 5, 1923
Died: September 14, 2013
Burial Site: SFNC, Section V, Site 316
Thomasita Chavez (Cata) joined the Marines on November 6, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. 1 In 1944 she was sent to the Marine Women Reserve School for Field Music at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 1, 2 During their stay at Lejeune, the women learned forty bugle calls over the course of three months. 2 In 1945, Chavez was with the Women’s Reserve Battalion, in Quantico, Virginia. 3 By 1945, she is listed as “Field Music First Class” on marine muster rolls at Quantico, Virginia. 3
Chavez was born to Mary B. and Faustine Chavez. 4, 5 She was one of nine children and grew up in San Juan Pueblo. 5
Documents
Cata, Thomasita Chavez
“Thomasita N. Cata.” Rio Grande Sun, Española, New Mexico. Thursday, September 19, 2013. Newspapers.com.
Cata, Thomasita Chavez
“Thomasita Chavez of Chamita, N.M.” The Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Wednesday, May 10, 1944. Newspapers.com.
Notes:
1. Ancestry.com. U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Muster date: January 1944.
2. “Thomasita Chavez of Chamita, N.M.” The Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Wednesday, May 10, 1944. Newspapers.com.
3. Ancestry.com. U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Muster date: January 1945.
4. “Thomasita N. Cata.” Rio Grande Sun, Española, New Mexico. September 19, 2013. Newspapers.com.
5. Ancestry.com. U.S., Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. April 1, 1934.
Featured Image:
“Thomasita N. Cata- Española Obituary 2013.” DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, September 12, 2013. Newspapers.com.
Prepared by Sue Ruth, Ph.D., Central New Mexico Community College