Eight Marine Brothers

by Bruce Allen, Museum Specialist

Esprit de corps is a phrase used by Marines to describe their common bond and devotion to a cause. It is an intangible force that motivates people to put service and sacrifice ahead of self. The Fuentes family felt this force and served their country. Over a span of 17 years, at least one of eight brothers in this large family claimed the title of “United States Marine.”

Mr. and Mrs. Guadalupe Fuentes

Mr. and Mrs. Guadalupe Fuentes raised their family of 16 children, 9 sons and 7 daughters, in a 2-bedroom home in Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Fuentes worked at Federal Iron & Metal to provide for his family. Having been raised believing in the pursuit of happiness, the American dream, and love of country, all of the Fuentes’ sons served in the U.S. armed forces, eight with the Marine Corps and one with the Air Force. Two of the nine brothers were sent overseas to Vietnam, Richard with the Marines and Israel with the Air Force. According to the brothers, they had several personal reasons for joining the Marine Corps. One was tired of being teased in high school, where he was called a “mama’s boy”; another joined as part of the “buddy program,” which encouraged young men to enlist and go through boot camp with a friend; the youngest brothers did not want to break the tradition established by their siblings, uncles, and cousins.

David Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1957-60

David Fuentes was the oldest and first brother to join the Marine Corps. After consulting with one of his uncles, who served as a Marine, David enlisted in 1957. He was assigned to Helicopter Squadron 542 in El Toro, California, as a helicopter mechanic. Earning the rank of corporal, David served until 1960. After his enlistment, he worked at South Texas Sales installing acoustic ceilings until his retirement in 1998. David passed away on 15 June 2011.

Ezequiel Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1965-69

Ezequiel “Checo” Fuentes joined the Marines on 1 July 1965 as an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist. Stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and Iwankuni, Japan, with a fire and rescue crash crew, he achieved the rank of corporal. Ezequiel left the Marine Corps on 30 June 1969 and is employed at the Nueces County Public Works in Texas.

Israel Fuentes, U.S. Airman, 1966-70

Israel Fuentes enlisted in 1966. However, unlike his brothers, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He said he chose the Air Force for his mother’s sake, believing that the Air Force would be “somewhat of a safer place.” Israel was deployed to Vietnam and served as a weapons mechanic at Bien Hoa Air Base, loading weapons onto A-37 Dragonfly aircraft for 18 months. Upon leaving the service in 1970, Israel earned a degree in electrical engineering and continues to work in that field.

Richard Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1966-70

Richard Fuentes enlisted on 3 June 1966 and, like his older brother David, served as a helicopter mechanic. He volunteered to deploy to Vietnam, serving there in 1968-69. Stationed at Marble Mountain with Marine Helicopter Squadron 463, his duties included serving as a door gunner aboard a CH-53 helicopter and working on helicopter engines. While stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam, he was part of the fighting during the Tet Offensive. Richard achieved the rank of sergeant and left the Marine Corps on 2 June 1970. He worked as an aircraft engine mechanic at the Corpus Christi Army Depot until his retirement in 2010.

Ismael Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1968-72

Ismael Fuentes was the fourth of the brothers to enlist in the Marine Corps on 3 June 1968, having previously been in the NJROTC. The previous March, his sister Vica had passed away, and he said that he joined the Marines, in part, to escape their parents’ sorrow. Beginning his enlistment as a cook, he transferred to a correctional services company after being injured, serving with the Security Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California. Ismael left the Marines as a sergeant on 2 June 1972. His post-Marine Corps career included 28 years as a federal firefighter. He is currently a guard for the Irving Independent School District in Texas.

Rudy Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1972-77

Rudy Fuentes joined the Marine Corps on 4 January 1972 after 3 years in an NJROTC program. As a private first class, he was stationed with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, and then with 1st 175mm Gun Battery at 29 Palms. After serving as a member of military police units at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune and at Naval Air Stations Memphis, Roosevelt Roads, and San Juan, Rudy left the Marine Corps as a lance corporal on 4 February 1977. He worked for the city of Corpus Christi until his retirement in 2013.

Alfonso Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1973-79

Alfonso Fuentes, not wanting to break the tradition, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1973. He trained in Corpus Christi,Texas, and in Rome with the Marine Reserves and served in Charlie Company, 23d Marines. 4th Marine Division, at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. He left the Marine Reserves as a sergeant in 1979 and began his career as a truck driver.

Enrique Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1975-79

Enrique Fuentes also followed the lead of his older brothers and enlisted on 23 June 1975. Serving as a Marine basic infantryman, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Washington ,D.C., and Naples, Italy. He was at Camp Pendleton when he was discharged as a corporal on 23 June 1979. After his service, Enrique worked with the Christus Spohn Hospital and is currently employed at the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority.

Marcos G. Fuentes, U.S. Marine, 1977-82

Marcos Fuentes is the youngest of the 9 brothers. He also joined the Marine Corps in June 1977. After training in San Diego and at Camp Pendleton, he served with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 23d Marine Reserves, spending time in Norway and Hawaii. He left the Marine Corps in August 1982 as a corporal. Marcos owned his own trucking company and is currently employed with American Electric Power Texas.

The Marine Corps has been strengthened by families who have supported their sons’ and daughters’ commitments to military service. There are known instances of the same family sending 5, 6, and 7 members to the Corps over a single or multiple generations, but this is the only recorded example of 8 brothers serving the Corps over such a short period of time—25 years. As such, "it is a remarkable demonstration of dedication and sacrifice by a single family," said National Museum of the Marine Corps Director Lin Ezell.

Growing up in a 2-bedroom home in what the family describes as one of Corpus Christi’s roughest neighborhoods helped draw the Fuentes family close, one family member confided. The bond among the brothers was strengthened by the love and support of their parents. Their patriotism led all the brothers to the United States military with their family’s blessings. The family remains very close today. The 8 brothers who wore the eagle, globe, and anchor believe that their time in the Marine Corps only strengthened this familial bond. They still proudly remember their combined service as U.S. Marines.

"It is a remarkable demonstration of dedication and sacrifice by a single family."
Lin Ezell
National Museum of the Marine Corps Director

Bruce Allen is a museum specialist at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, with a specialty in arms and armor collections.