Richard J. Dominguez
Bio
Richard J. Dominguez was born in 1924 in Los Angeles, California. His parents had immigrated from Mexico to work in the United States, and several family members, including his father, worked as movie extras. After graduating high school in 1942, he had a strong desire to serve in the United States Air Corps but initially encountered hurdles due to a muscular imbalance in one eye. After a year of rehabilitation and university coursework, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for basic training. He was then sent to Arizona State Teachers College to complete coursework in preparation for his duties in the U.S. Air Corps. He was deployed to the Pacific theater one month after atomic bombs were dropped in Japan to serve in World War II. He spent some time in Okinawa guarding General MacArthur’s quarters until the Armistice was signed. In 1949, while working as a police officer in Los Angeles, he decided to join the U.S. National Guard. Once the war in Korea began in 1950, he trained as a medic before arriving on the front lines to replace another division. In addition to his military service, he served twenty-five years in the police department as a juvenile officer and detective.
Video Clips
Being Drafted and Training With Mules
Richard J. Dominguez shares how, after graduating high school in 1942, he wanted to join the United States Army Air Corps. He notes, however, he was unable to pass the physical exam due to a muscular imbalance in one eye. He recalls spending a year rehabilitating his eye and taking university courses. He describes how, in 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for basic training. He explains how during his training, he was part of a special group that trained with mules to carry a 0.35 millimeter Howitzer. He remembers the discipline and physical fitness required to work with the animals and hike across hilly terrain.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1NF410SLfQ&start=589&end=946
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/richard-j-dominguez#clip-1
Embed:
U.S. Air Corps and Infantry Training
Richard J. Dominguez explains that the United States Air Corps was a division of the U.S. Army before the establishment of the U.S. Air Force. He shares how, in 1944, he was sent to Arizona State Teachers College to complete coursework in preparation for his duties in the U.S. Air Corps. He remembers how, at that time, women did not serve in the U.S. Air Corps. He recalls his experiences during his training at the college, which included ten hours of flying instruction. He recalls, however, before he could complete his Air Corps training, he was transferred to the Army Infantry, 13th Armored Division, where he received instruction on firing anti-tank weapons.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1NF410SLfQ&start=1018&end=1256
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/richard-j-dominguez#clip-2
Embed:
Preparing for the Korean War as a U.S. National Guard
Richard J. Dominguez shares he made the decision to join the United States National Guard while working as a police officer. He mentions that his choice to reenlist in the service was largely influenced by the payment of thirty dollars he received each month which helped to supplement his income from the police department. He remembers how, a few months after joining the National Guard, he was sent to Camp Cook, California, to train as a medic and mobilize for the Korean War. He describes how his training and departure affected his wife and young daughter who went to live with relatives.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1NF410SLfQ&start=3325&end=3547
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/richard-j-dominguez#clip-3
Embed:
Korea Arrival and Departure
Richard J. Dominguez shares his experience of arriving in Korea during a ceasefire for negotiations among opposing forces. Upon arrival, his unit was sent to replace another division on the front lines. He describes how the previous division had constructed trenches and tents to maximize protection from incoming fire. He recalls his own division losing men on the front lines, including a fellow medic. He reflects on receiving an emergency furlough while in Korea to travel home and visit his ill mother.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1NF410SLfQ&start=3736&end=4054
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/richard-j-dominguez#clip-4
Embed:
Medic Training
Richard J. Dominguez expands on his explanation of basic training, specifically the training he underwent to become a medic. He details the medical training they received from a doctor, and the physical training to prepare them for their jobs in Korea.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1NF410SLfQ&start=3548&end=3724
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/richard-j-dominguez#clip-5
Embed: