Enrique E. Monreal
Biography: Enrique Espinosa Monreal was born on October 14, 1921, in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the son of Francisco Monreal and Ysabel De Jesus Espinosa and attended local schools through the grammar level. After leaving school, Enrique worked at a number of jobs, including as a pin boy at the Federal Bowling Club and laborer in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). While serving in the CCC, Enrique did road work in Arizona. His draft card shows him working at Rodarte’s Garage in El Paso, TX, and his enlistment record notes him having experience as a kitchen worker in a hotel or restaurant.
On January 13, 1941, Enrique married the former Alicia Ortegon, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Alicia was born in Corpus Christi as well and was the daughter of Carlota L. Ortegon.
Service Time: Enrique entered the service on December 28, 1942, at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. He would have been sent for basic training and at some later point, assigned to a unit which we do know was a tank destroyer battalion. Unfortunately we do not have information as to the specific unit. Enrique left the service at the rank of Private First Class.
Enrique returned to El Paso and he and Alicia would have two children, a girl Henrietta and a son Henry. His marriage to Alicia would end and on January 26, 1948, Enrique married the former Jennie Quinonez, who was the daughter of Sabas and Hernonema Quinonez. As of 1950, Enrique was working as a truck driver for a nickel-plating company. He would later work as a shipping manager for a cosmetics company. In his spare time, he helped coach baseball since he had played catcher as a youth. As of 1993-94, he was living in the Yucaipa, California area.
Enrique passed away on November 11, 2017, and was buried in the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. I was the thank Enrique’s grandson, Orlando, for providing the photo and information about his grandfather.