What is the significance of the Longoria Incident?

Answer 1

The burial of Private Felix Z. Longoria, US Army, became a 1949 cause celebre and a case study in race relations and Hispanic American discrimination. It could probably only have happened in South Texas. It launched the G.I. Forum into the National limelight and advanced the political capitol and career of future US President Lyndon Johnson.

It produced the publication of editorials around the globe and even a book named "Felix Longoria's Wake" by Patrick J. Carroll who was teaching at Texas A&M University. The Texas State Legislature investigated the incident and concluded that no racial discrimination had occurred in the refusal of the Three Rivers Funeral Home denying the use of their chapel for a wake. The Legislature reversed their findings after evidence and affidavits were admitted that had not been taken into consideration in their initial investigation. Based on the opinion of the Texas Legislature it is therefore True that a WWII serviceman's funeral was denied because "the Whites would not like it."

Senator Lyndon Johnson intervened and Private Longoria was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on 16 February 1949 with the whole family present courtesy of donations gathered by the American GI Forum. Senator Johnson and Lady Bird attended the services, President Harry Truman sent a General Officer as his personal representative and Mexican Ambassador and his staff attended to the flowers.