Thousands of Portuguese emigrated to the United States of America at the end of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century.

The largest communities were - and still are - found in the New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and California areas.

Many Portuguese born or descendants of Portuguese citizens served in the US armed forces throughout World War II.

In this section of "Portugal 1939-1945" we tell the stories of the Portuguese or Portuguese-descendants who fought in the ranks of the North American Armed forces.

If you have a story you want to share, send us an email.




Know their stories:

Freitas, Joseph Gonçalves de

    US Army privat  Unit –  2nd Armored Divison 41st Armored Infantry Regiment/ B Company Birth place – São Martinho, Madeira Island Birth date – 21/12/ 1915 Death date – 16/01/2005 Father /pai –  Mother /mãe –  Joseph Gonçalves Freitas … Read more

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Macedo, Manuel Joseph

  Master Sergeant US Army Air Forces Unit – 511th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, 9th US Air Force Birth place – Gustine, California Birth date –  01/03/1919 Death date – 12/04/1977 Father – Diogo José Macedo Mother – Mary Amélia Souza Macedo Son of father … Read more

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Gomes, William Francis

      Private First Class US Army Unit –  Birth place – Lemoore/California Birth date –  23/10/1916 Death date – 10/07/1942 Father – José Rodrigues Gomes Mother – Mary Rafael Gomes         Son of father native of Azores and portuguese-american mother, William … Read more

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Furtado, Daniel William

  Private First Class US Army Unit – Company C, 806th Tank Destroyer Battalion Birth place – Rhode Island Birth date –  27/07/1921 Death date – 17/01/2000 Father – Luiz do Couto Furtado Mother – Maria Conceição Simas do Couto Furtado  The eldest son of Azorean immigrants … Read more

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Ray, Alfred Joseph

  Private First Class US Army Unit – 404th Engineering Div., C Battalion Birth place – Rhode Island Birth date –  07/01/1922 Death date – 08/04/2017 Father – Francisco José Rei Mother – Maria dos Anjos de Faria Rei Son of Portuguese nationals from São Miguel, … Read more

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Luz, George

  Private First Class US Army Unit – E-Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division Birth place – Fall River Birth date –  17/06/1921 Death date – 15/10/1998 Father – José Carvalho da Luz Mother – Maria Fratus Luz George was born in Fall River Massachusetts on … Read more

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Ray, Francis Joseph

  Corporal US Army Unit – G Company, 10th Mountain Div., 87th Infantry Regiment Birth place – Rhode Island Birth date –  27/01/1918 Death date – 22/04/2006 Father – Francisco José Rei Mother – Maria dos Anjos de Faria Rei Son of Portuguese nationals from São … Read more

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Ray, Joseph George

      Tech Sergeant US Army Unit – 623rd Light Equipment Engineer Company Birth place – Rhode Island Birth date –  29/01/1924 Death date – 25/02/2012 Father – Francisco José Rei Mother – Maria dos Anjos de Faria Rei The son of Portuguese nationals from … Read more

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Pereira, Augusto

      Staff Sargeant US Army Unit –  95th Bomb. Grp. Birth place – Rhode Island Birth date –  25/ 05/1924 Death date – 11/ 12/1943 Father – António Rodrigues Pereira Mother – Maria Graça Pereira A member of the United States Army Air Corps, … Read more

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Braz, Armindo

  Master-Sargeant US Army Unit –   Birth place – New Bedford Birth date –  19/ 02/1923 Death date – 06/ 12/2002 Father – John Braz Mother –  Born on February 19, 1923 in New Bedford, son of Portuguese parents, Armindo Braz was a Master Sargeant … Read more

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