caption serviceyears laterwork branch death_place death_date birth_place allegiance awards image_size placeofburial_label battles birth_date rank image article_title name
'' '' ' ' 1st . lieutenant francisco mercado , jr. 1942 -- 1945 among brotherhood of electrical workers union -lrb- ibew -rrb- . the first latino journeymen electricans in the international 25px & nbsp ; united states army air forces los angeles , california 23 september 2005 los angeles , california united states of america distinguished flying cross air medal -lrb- 5 -rrb- 150 place of burial world war ii 17 february 1920 13px first lieutenant lt mercado 2.jpg francisco mercado , jr. .
 francisco mercado , jr.
francisco mercado , jr. .

francisco mercado , jr. -lrb- february 17 , 1920 -- september 23 , 2005 -rrb- was a member of the united states army air forces -lrb- usaaf -rrb- and recipient of the distinguished flying cross who earned his membership to the exclusive `` caterpillar club '' having saved his life by parachuting over england while returning from a mission with a crippled b-24 during world war ii .
