AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The Amarillo Parks and Recreation Board is set to hold a meeting Wednesday afternoon to conduct a public hearing on the possible renaming of East Park to Gabriel Chavez Park.
Private First Class Gabriel Chavez, who was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and grew up in the Barrio neighborhood in Amarillo, was 22 years old when he was killed in action in April 1945. He had been serving with the 96th Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II, and died during the Battle of Okinawa.
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Chavez, who was buried in Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in August 1945. According to the announcement related to his award at the time, “Chavez’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 96th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.”
East Park is located on Southeast Eighth Avenue between South Williams Street and Ross Street, in the half of the Barrio neighborhood north of I-40…