Last of Mexico’s WWII veterans dies at 98

MEXICO — The last veteran of Mexico’s relatively small contingent of World War II veterans has died, Mexico’s Defense Ministry announced Thursday.

The department said former Sgt. Horacio Castilleja Albarrán was 98 when he died on Wednesday. A cause of death was not provided.

Castilleja Albarrán was one of approximately 300 Mexican soldiers and airmen from 201 Squadron, known as the Aztec Eagles, who were sent from Mexico to aid in the American war effort against Japan.

The aircraft squadron fought alongside the United States Air Force in the Philippines in 1945. Mexico was slow to enter World War II, but declared war after German U-boats sank several Mexican tankers.

Castilleja Albarrán joined the army in 1942 at the age of 18 and trained as a radio operator. It has long been removed from service.

He received a funeral with military honours.