Overview
Profile of Andrés González Vega, a 101-year-old Puerto Rican World War II veteran, cultural advocate, and memoirist reflecting on war, migration, racism, and lifelong community work.
Biography and Early Life
- Born May 30, 1924, in Vieques; identifies as jĂbaro rooted in rural traditions.
- Childhood included river crossings to school; harvested bananas and avocados to eat with cod.
- Remembers Puerto Ricans walking barefoot and fetching water from wells.
Military Service (World War II)
- Drafted at 18; reported to Fort Buchanan, San Juan, after evaluations.
- Trained in Gurabo; shipped via San Juan to Guantánamo Bay, then escorted to Panama.
- Ship faced blackout sirens due to suspected German submarines; journey was tense and food scarce.
- Arrived in Balboa, Panama; welcomed with coffee and fresh milk by U.S. soldiers.
- Learned limited English from a popular bilingual children’s song.
- Promoted to private first class, then sergeant; led a group of Puerto Rican soldiers.
- Granted emergency leave to Puerto Rico when his mother was hospitalized; returned after 15 days.
- Served until war’s end; received American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
Postwar Migration and Racism
- Migrated to New York in 1947 amid economic shifts; reunited with a Panama friend.
- Reflected on comrades later killed in the Korean War; felt his fate could have been similar.
- Faced discrimination: “Puerto Ricans Go Home” signs; home vandalized with slur “Spics Go Home.”
- Witnessed segregation practices where Black people were forced to yield seats to white people.
Cultural Advocacy and Community Leadership
- Co-founded National Puerto Rican Day Parade; pressured Mayor Robert Wagner for Fifth Avenue route.
- Advocated for Spanish-language voter registration forms; observed rise of Puerto Rican political leaders.
- Returned to Puerto Rico; earned a bachelor’s in business administration.
- Worked as festival coordinator at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.
- Founded Coconut Festival in Luquillo; honored with the key to the city of Luquillo.
- Recognized and sashed by National Puerto Rican Day Parades in New York and Chicago.
Daily Life, Crafts, and Family
- Lives in Luquillo near El Yunque; daughter Julia lives 50 feet away; close daily coordination.
- Morning routine: descends 12 steps; breakfast of hot milk with bananas and oranges.
- Crafts traditional instruments, especially gĂĽiros and maracas; sells work near El Yunque.
- Daughter assists with setup; she dreams of a space for Puerto Rican crafts, coffee, and wine.
- He expresses gratitude for Julia; maintains sharp memory and detailed recall.
Identity and Cultural Context
- Embraces jĂbaro heritage symbolized by the straw hat “la pava.”
- Contemporary artists highlight jĂbaro images; he embodies this folkloric identity.
- Enjoys chicken wings with tostones; sings a playful riff on Bad Bunny’s “Café Con Ron.”
Memoir Project
- Writing a memoir with daughter Julia’s help; aims to capture nearly a century of life.
- Tends to emphasize positive memories but now includes struggles and challenges.
- Says his story remains largely untold, hinting at more to share.
Key Timeline and Honors
| Year/Period | Event | Location | Notes/Honors |
|---|
| 1924 | Birth of Andrés González Vega | Vieques, Puerto Rico | May 30 |
| 1941–1945 | WWII service | Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama | Promotions to PFC and sergeant |
| 1940s (early-mid) | Training and deployment | Gurabo; San Juan embarkation | Ship blackout alerts; German sub fears |
| Wartime | Emergency leave for mother | Puerto Rico; Panama | Returned after 15 days |
| Post-1945 | Service completion | Panama | Medals: American Theater, Good Conduct, WWII Victory |
| 1947 | Migration to New York | New York City | Faced racism; community organizing |
| 1950s–1960s | Parade co-founding | NYC Fifth Avenue | Pressured Mayor Robert Wagner; Spanish voter forms |
| Later years | Return, education, cultural work | Puerto Rico | BA in business; Institute of Puerto Rican Culture |
| Later years | Festival founding | Luquillo | Coconut Festival; key to the city |
| Present | Memoir writing, crafts, family life | Luquillo | Lives near daughter; active artisan |
Action Items
- Continue writing memoir incorporating both achievements and struggles.
- Explore creation of a venue for Puerto Rican crafts, coffee, and wine as envisioned by Julia.
Decisions
- Maintain craft production and market presence near El Yunque with daughter’s support.