An illegal immigrant-resident alien becomes a national military hero in WWII, awarded the Medal of Honor, and uses his new-found fame to become a civil rights hero. He inspires his entire generation of Mexican Americans to straighten their backs, lift their heads and see new possibilities they were emboldened to pursue. Achievements were attained that have been dismissed by the Black/White Paradigm; hence, comparative analysis between Mexican American and African American civil rights history has been explored and conclusions presented. His military and civil rights legacy is relevant to today's hottest issue, immigration reform.