Mercedes O. Cubria
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Mercedes O. Cubria (1903-1980), a.k.a. La Tia (The Aunt), was the first Cuban-born female officer in the U.S. Army. She served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II
, in the U.S. Army during the Korean War
, and was recalled into service during the Cuban Missile Crisis
. In 1988, she was posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
.
. After completing her primary and secondary education, she worked as a nurse and rancher in the years leading up to World War II.
for further training in cryptography
. Cubria was commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant, making her the first Cuban-born female officer in the United States Military. She was assigned to the 385th Signal Company. She was later reassigned to the 322nd Signal Company, where she worked on secret codes, and on gathering information on the Axis Powers
.
When the WAC bill established the Women’s Army Corps in 1943, Cubria and her female comrades-in-arms became members of the regular Army.
After World War II ended, Cubria was promoted to the rank of Captain. She was assigned to the U.S. Army's Caribbean Theater, based at Quarry Heights in the Panama Canal Zone
; she was the first woman to serve in active duty in that theater.
When the United States entered the Korean War
, Cubria was promoted to Major
and deployed to Japan
, where she continued to work in military intelligence. When the Korean War ended in 1953 Cubria was given a medical discharge, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
for "meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy".
In 1962, Cubria was recalled to service by the U.S. Army as a result of the Cuban Missile Crisis
. She worked primarily in the role of de-briefing Cuban refugees, as well as defectors who were fleeing the Cuban communist regime. She also helped the refugees find jobs and places to live. Cubria's work with the refugees proved to be a significant asset to the United States Army and the Central Intelligence Agency
. Cubria was awarded the Legion of Merit
and continued to serve for the next eleven years.
and in 1973, at the age of 70, retired once more from the military. She was awarded a second Legion of Merit upon her retirement. Mercedes Cubria died in 1980 in her home in Miami, Florida
.
In 1988, Cubria was posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
. The Military Intelligence Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame
established by the Military Intelligence Corps of the United States Army in 1988, to honor soldiers and civilians who have made exceptional contributions to Military Intelligence. The Hall is administered by the United States Army Intelligence Center
at Fort Huachuca
, Arizona
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in the U.S. Army during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and was recalled into service during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
. In 1988, she was posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
The Military Intelligence Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame established by the Military Intelligence Corps of the United States Army in 1988 to honor soldiers and civilians who have made exceptional contributions to Military Intelligence...
.
Early years
Cubria was born in Guantanamo, Cuba in 1903. While she was still a young girl, her family moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. After completing her primary and secondary education, she worked as a nurse and rancher in the years leading up to World War II.
Military service
On July 3, 1943 the WAC bill established the Women’s Army Corps as an integral part of United States Military. The bill was signed into law (Public Law 78-110), and became effective on September 1, 1943. Cubria enlisted in the Women's Army Corps after the U.S. entered World War II and, after her basic military training, she was sent to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
for further training in cryptography
Cryptography
Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties...
. Cubria was commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant, making her the first Cuban-born female officer in the United States Military. She was assigned to the 385th Signal Company. She was later reassigned to the 322nd Signal Company, where she worked on secret codes, and on gathering information on the Axis Powers
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
.
When the WAC bill established the Women’s Army Corps in 1943, Cubria and her female comrades-in-arms became members of the regular Army.
After World War II ended, Cubria was promoted to the rank of Captain. She was assigned to the U.S. Army's Caribbean Theater, based at Quarry Heights in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
; she was the first woman to serve in active duty in that theater.
When the United States entered the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Cubria was promoted to Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
and deployed to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where she continued to work in military intelligence. When the Korean War ended in 1953 Cubria was given a medical discharge, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for "meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy".
In 1962, Cubria was recalled to service by the U.S. Army as a result of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
. She worked primarily in the role of de-briefing Cuban refugees, as well as defectors who were fleeing the Cuban communist regime. She also helped the refugees find jobs and places to live. Cubria's work with the refugees proved to be a significant asset to the United States Army and the Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
. Cubria was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
and continued to serve for the next eleven years.
Legacy
Cubria was promoted to Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
and in 1973, at the age of 70, retired once more from the military. She was awarded a second Legion of Merit upon her retirement. Mercedes Cubria died in 1980 in her home in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
In 1988, Cubria was posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
The Military Intelligence Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame established by the Military Intelligence Corps of the United States Army in 1988 to honor soldiers and civilians who have made exceptional contributions to Military Intelligence...
. The Military Intelligence Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
established by the Military Intelligence Corps of the United States Army in 1988, to honor soldiers and civilians who have made exceptional contributions to Military Intelligence. The Hall is administered by the United States Army Intelligence Center
United States Army Intelligence Center
The United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence is the United States Army's school for professional training of military intelligence personnel...
at Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca is a United States Army installation under the command of the United States Army Installation Management Command. It is located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about north of the border with Mexico. Beginning in 1913, for 20 years the fort was the base for the "Buffalo...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Awards and decorations
Among Lt. Col. Cubria's military decorations were the following:
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
w/ bronze service star deviceService starA service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Army Good Conduct MedalGood Conduct MedalThe Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
Women's Army Corps Service MedalWomen's Army Corps Service MedalThe Women’s Army Corps Service Medal was a decoration of the United States Army which was created on July 29, 1943 by issued by President Franklin Roosevelt. The decoration was intended to recognize the contribution of women to the Army during the Second World War...
American Campaign MedalAmerican Campaign MedalThe American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalThe World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
Korean Service MedalKorean Service MedalThe Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who...
Army Service RibbonArmy Service RibbonThe Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990....
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Further reading
- The Book Of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength, and Success; by Sylvia Mendoza; Publisher: Adams Media Corporation; ISBN 1593372124; ASIN: B001QCX1F2
See also
- Hispanic Americans in World War IIHispanic Americans in World War IIHispanic Americans, also referred to as Latinos, fought in every major battle in the European Theatre of World War II in which the armed forces of the United States were involved, from North Africa to the Battle of the Bulge, and in the Pacific Theater of Operations, from Bataan to Okinawa...