Matthew Sherman was one of the early pioneers who helped build San Diego and responsible for naming "Logan Heights." In 1871 Mr. Sherman went to Washington to lobby for a passage of the legislation chartering the Texas and Pacific Railroads to build a rail line from Texas to California. While in Washington, Congressman John A. Logan worked out the final bill which provided federal government land grants, and subsidies. It was Logan, incidentally, from whose name San Diego's "Logan Heights" was derived. One of the major streets in a subdivision laid out in 1886, on the railroad lands was named for him, and gradually the entire area in Southeast San Diego came to be called "Logan Heights."

Many of the first long term residents of Logan Heights planted the seed for our first Mexican-American generation. Our parents and grandparents were part of America's greatest generation era. Many of our grandparents fled north from the Mexican revolution and settled in San Diego 1910-1920. The first Mexican-American generation was born right here in our own Logan Heights. Their parents made it a point to teach all their children to always maintain and claim their Mexican ancestry from Mexico. This first generation all grew up together going to the same schools we have today. Sherman Elementary, Memorial Jr. High School and the old grey castle San Diego High School, just to name a few. All of our families were familiar with and attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and that is where all the baptisms, First Holy Communions, Weddings and funerals took place for all of our families.

By the 1930's Logan Heights had grown to be one of the largest Mexican-American community in Southern California. Our grandparents and parents helped build this great city of San Diego with their blood, sweat, tears and love for our great city. Our grandparents and parents wanted to bring their kids up in the land of opportunity so their kids could also have a piece of the apple pie and the American dream to get a free education, "be whatever you want to be." Some of the first generation became doctors, lawyers, teachers, judges, police officers, small business owners and others were involved in local politics.

When our country entered into World War I and World War II, "Logan Heights Boys," the first generations, were there to volunteer to help defend our great nations in its hour of need. This first generation earned their place in history and proved to the city of San Diego, State of California and to the nation that our first Mexican-American generations had their piece of the apple pie, they fought and died to make this a free nation. There is no greater price to pay by making the ultimate sacrifice.

The Mexican-American Logan Heights Veteran has dedicated his life and soul to his country and is proud to be from Logan Heights.

The Banuelos Family

Mr. John R. Banuelos has been working on this project with us because he has a personal goal, to honor his brother, Albert Banuelos, who died while serving in the service of our country as a member of the United States Army in Vietnam. The Banuelos family gave us their blessing in using Albert's history and his actions in Vietnam. The Banuelos family is one of the many tales and stories of Mexican-American Veterans from Logan Heights who lost their lives defending this great country. Let no man say they did not earn a piece of the American pie, they earned the whole pie.

Albert Banuelos was a native of San Diego and a product of Logan Heights. Albert was very proud of being actively involved with the Neighborhood House and being a member of the famous Los Chicanos Jacket Club. The Banuelos family have resided in Logan Heights since the early 30's and have raised their children to be good citizens. They also sent their children to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and school. This is one of the true families making the building blocks for the "Logan Heights Experience."

Albert Banuelos and his family have been faithful customers and friends with the owners of Doria's Pharmacy, Amador Market, Chiquitas Bakery, Corona Furniture Store and Neighborhood Cafe, just to name a few, and there are many more. Albert as a young boy with his brother Johnny went on Saturday afternoons to the Cornet Theater. He also visited Doctor Roy Tanaka's office on occasion. Albert and Johnny had life long friends from Logan Elementary School, Lowell Elementary School, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Memorial Jr. High School and San Diego High School.

Sergeant Albert Banuelos was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in action on September 19, 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Albert Banuelos Jr., United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, while serving as a rifleman in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry during combat operations in the vicinity of Trang Bang, Republic of Vietnam, Company C moved on a reconnaissance in force mission. The first platoon was taken under heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire by unknown size enemy force. In the initial burst, the lead man was seriously wounded. Sergeant Banuelos, seeing his comrade lying completely exposed in an open field some hundred meters to his front, ignoring the warning of his fellow soldiers and oblivious to the intense enemy fire, started moving toward the wounded man, but as he started back to the safety of his own line with the wounded man, he was mortally wounded by an enemy bullet.

His courageous and self sacrificing actions inspired his comrades as they assaulted the enemy position and completely routed the insurgents. Sergeant Banuelos extraordinary heroism in close combat at the cost of his own life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

By direction of the President of the United States under the provisions of the act of Congress approved this 9th July, 1918.

Sergeant Banuelos was also awarded two Purple Hearts for wounds received in action in Vietnam on 27th May, 1968, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in ground operations against hostile forces, the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Vietnam from Dec 3, 1967 to May 3, 1968. He also received the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Medal, a Meritorious Citation to include the Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Vietnam Military Merit Medal.

Americans Killed in Action

• 1941-1944, WWII, "408,306 killed in action"
• 1950-1953, Korean War, "54,246 killed in action"
• 1957-1975, Vietnam War, "58,219 killed in action"
• 1983, Grenada, "19 killed in action"
• 1983, Beirut Lebanon, "247 killed in action"
• 1987, Persian Gulf War, "148 killed in action"
• 1990-1991, Persian Gulf Operation Desert Storm, "363 killed in action"
• 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, "89 killed in action"
• 2002, Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan Theater, "30 killed in action"
• 2003-2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom, "3504 killed in action"