Louis Gonzaga Mendez was born in Trinidad, Colorado, on July 14, 1915. After graduating from high school and serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Mendez attended the United States Military Academy and was commissioned in 1940. Mendez participated in the 82nd Airborne Division's combat jump into Normandy. After landing, Col. Mendez spent five days separated from his battalion with only one other officer and his messenger. During this time Mendez claims to have walked 90 miles. After regrouping with his unit, Mendez personally led an assault of the town of Prétot-Sainte-Suzanne despite the heavy artillery and machine gun fire that stood in their way, an act of bravery that won him the Distinguished Service Cross. Mendez went on to lead his Battalion (3rd Battalion) in combat in The Netherlands, particularly Operation Market Garden, and Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war Mendez continued his military service and attended General Staff School and Georgetown University before retiring from the military in 1970.