American Armando Marquez died on Sunday at the age of 102 in his hometown of El Paso, Texas. Marquez was one of the liberators of Eindhoven during the Second World War.
As a 20-year-old soldier, Marquez was part of the Allied forces, with the aim of liberating Europe from Nazi Germany. He contributed to the liberation of Eindhoven, reports Studio040. Armando Marquez was wounded twice, during the landing in Normandy, France and during a German bombardment on Eindhoven.
Pass on the story of the war
After the war he visited the region several times. He attended commemorations with other veterans in Son en Breugel and Eindhoven, among others. He also visited the torch parade in the city. He also visited schools with, among others, the late British liberator Joe Cattini, to pass on the story of the war to new generations.
In recent years his health has been too poor to come to the Netherlands in September.
Freedom
“Armando belonged to a generation that was willing to risk everything for the freedom of others,” the 18 September Foundation said in response to his death. “He did not fight for his own gain, but for a future where democracy, peace and human dignity could triumph over oppression and hatred. Thanks to people like Armando, we can live in freedom today. He reminded us that freedom can never be taken for granted.”
