New York.- StephenHotesse was born on November 2, 1919 in Moca, Dominican Republic and came tothe U.S. at the age of 4. He came with his mother, Clara Pacheco who at thetime was 25 years of age. Hotesse was also accompanied by his sister, age 2,Irma Hotesse.
They all came throughthe famous port of Ellis Island and as many Dominicans at the time, the Pachecofamily went to live in Manhattan.
Hotesse enlisted in theArmy during World War II, made Second Lieutenant, and became a member of theTuskegee Airmen, the first all-black group of military pilots in the U.S. ArmedForces.
The Tuskegee Airmenbecame part of American historiography and popular imagination.
To learn more aboutHotesse and other Dominican veterans that served in the U.S. Armed Forcesduring World War II, please make sure to register for our upcoming exhibit:
Fighting For Democracy:Dominican Veterans From World War II. opening on November 11, 2015, 6:30pm to8:00pm. CUNY Dominican Studies Institute.