Mercedes O. Cubria

Lieutenant Colonel Mercedes O. Cubria (April 15, 1903 - October 14, 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.

Mercedes O. Cubria
Lt. Col. Mercedes O. Cubria The first Cuban-born female officer in the U.S. Army
Nickname(s)	"Tia"
Born	(1903-04-15)April 15, 1903 Guantanamo, Cuba
Died	October 14, 1980(1980-10-14) (aged 77) Miami, Florida
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1943-1973
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War Cold War
Awards	Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal

Early years

Cubria was born in Guantanamo, Cuba on April 15, 1903. While she was still a young girl, her family moved to the United States. After completing her primary and secondary education, she worked as a nurse and rancher in the years leading up to World War II.[1][2]

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 England 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.[1] 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.[1][2][3]

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.[4]

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.[2]

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".[1][2]

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.[2] 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.[1]

Legacy

Cubria was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 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 on October 14, 1980 in her home in Miami, Florida.[1][2]

In 1988, Cubria was posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.[5] 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.[6]

Awards and decorations

Among Lt. Col. Cubria's military decorations were the following:

1st row	Legion of Merit w/ one oak leaf cluster
2nd row	Bronze Star Medal			Army Good Conduct Medal			Women's Army Corps Service Medal
3rd row	American Campaign Medal			European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 2 bronze service stars			World War II Victory Medal
4th row	National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star			Korean Service Medal			United Nations Service Medal
Insignia	Women's Army Corps Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Further reading

• The Book Of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength, and Success; by Sylvia Mendoza; Publisher: Adams Media Corporation; ISBN 1-59337-212-4; ASIN: B001QCX1F2

See also

• Hispanic Americans in World War II

References

1. "Elementary Resources for Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, 2008" (PDF). Cirrculum and Instruction, Social Sciences. Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
2. "Diversity, the MI Tradition" (PDF). Fort Huachuca, United States Army. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
3. Caban, Pedro et al. (1994): The Latino Experience in U.S. History. Northfield, Minnesota: Globe Pearson. p. 274. ISBN 0-8359-0641-8
4. Bellafaire, Judith. "The Contributions of Hispanic Servicewomen". Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation. Archived from the original on March 14, 2004. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
5. "The National Cryptologic Museum and the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame". ASA Chitose Association. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
6. "Military Intelligence Service Honors and Awards". Military Intelligence Service Research Center. National Japanese American Historical Society. Retrieved October 27, 2011.