Bill Lansford, whose mother came to the United States from Juarez, Mexico, was born July 13, 1922 and grew up in Latino neighborhoods in East Los Angeles. He spoke little English and had virtually no contact with his Anglo father, a Los Angeles policeman, until he was fourteen. At 16, . . .

Bill Lansford, center, with fellow Marines after Guadalcanal. The note written on the photograph says "The Terrible Trio." New Hebrides, 1942.

Source: Bill Lansford

Bill Lansford, center, with fellow Marines before their deployment to Guadalcanal. He served with Colonel Carlson's 2nd Raider Battalion known as Carlson's Raiders.

Source: Bill Lansford

Returning home, Bill Lansford enjoyed swapping war stories with fellow soldiers and the new kind of freedom.

Of Mexican descent, Bill Lansford noticed very little discrimination growing up.

Marine ID card belonging to Bill Lansford.

Source: Bill Lansford

Latino soldiers tended to volunteer for the more dangerous tasks during the war.

Lt. Col. F. Evans Carlson (front row, third from left) with his famed Carlson's Raiders, the 2nd Raider Battalion. February, 1943, Guadalcanal.

Source: National Archives

Bill Lansford and Pete Arias talk about being part of "Carlson's Raiders"

Infantrymen grab sleep where they can. Normandy, France, July 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-191444)

Bill Mauldin worked for Stars and Stripes during the war. His cartoons were viewed by GIs serving in Europe.

Source: Copyright 1945 by Bill Mauldin. Displayed courtesy of the William Mauldin Estate.

Marines Pete Arias and Bill Lansford land on Iwo Jima.