Changes

==Background==​

==Background==​

Sanchez (first name pronounced CHRIS PEEN) was born to Pedro R. Sanchez (1893–1984) and Guadalupe V. Sanchez (1896–1977) in Gonzales in southeast Texas. In the era of [[segregation]], he attended a one-room school for [[Hispanic]] children. A halfback, running back, placekicker,, and punter, Sanchez was the first Mexican American to play high school [[football]] at Gonzales High School. His excellence at first base in [[baseball]] led to his drafting by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], but he declined the offer and instead followed his mother's advice to enter college. For a time he played with the semi-professional team, the former Gonzales Apaches.<ref name=wire>"Sanchez carried LJC athletics on his shoulders," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' March 19, 2008.</ref>​ ("Apaches" is now the name of the Gonzales High School teams.<ref>''The Gonzales Inquirer,'' December 27, 2007.</ref>​

Sanchez (first name pronounced CHRIS PEEN) was born to Pedro R. Sanchez (1893–1984) and Guadalupe V. Sanchez (1896–1977) in Gonzales in southeast Texas. In the era of [[segregation]], he attended a one-room school for [[Hispanic]] children. A halfback, running back, placekicker,, and punter, Sanchez was the first Mexican American to play high school [[football]] at Gonzales High School. His excellence at first base in [[baseball]] led to his drafting by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], but he declined the offer and instead followed his mother's advice to enter college. For a time he played with the semi-professional team, the former Gonzales Apaches.<ref name=wire>"Sanchez carried LJC athletics on his shoulders," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' March 19, 2008.</ref>​ ("Apaches" is now the name of the Gonzales High School teams.<ref>''The Gonzales Inquirer,'' December 27, 2007.</ref>

 

During [[World War II]], Sanchez joined the [[United States Army]] Air Corps, the forerunner of the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]. He was part of the Hell's Angels with the 303rd Bomb Group and was a tail gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. He flew thirty-five air combat missions. During the pivotal [[Battle of the Bulge]] in December 1944, he provided air relief to [[Allied]] ground troops in [[Belgium]] with two .50-caliber [[machine gun]]s.<ref name=wire/>​

During [[World War II]], Sanchez joined the [[United States Army]] Air Corps, the forerunner of the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]. He was part of the Hell's Angels with the 303rd Bomb Group and was a tail gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. He flew thirty-five air combat missions. During the pivotal [[Battle of the Bulge]] in December 1944, he provided air relief to [[Allied]] ground troops in [[Belgium]] with two .50-caliber [[machine gun]]s.<ref name=wire/>

 

On returning from the war, Sanchez entered Texas State University in San Marcos, south of the capital city of [[Austin]], then known as Southwest Texas State Normal School. In college, Sanchez met his future wife, Dora A. Garcia (1929-2003 ). He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and the couple moved to her hometown of [[Laredo]] in Webb County in south Texas, where Sanchez began his long career in education.<ref name=wire/>​

On returning from the war, Sanchez entered Texas State University in San Marcos, south of the capital city of [[Austin]], then known as Southwest Texas State Normal School. In college, Sanchez met his future wife, Dora A. Garcia (1929-2003 ). He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and the couple moved to her hometown of [[Laredo]] in Webb County in south Texas, where Sanchez began his long career in education.<ref name=wire/>​

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