05/22/2026
Memorial Day Remembrance: Honoring Mission’s First Flying Officer
Born and raised in Mission, Texas, Joaquin Castro attended Mission schools and Edinburg Junior College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 as an aviation cadet to pursue his dream of flying. Castro became the first Mission man to be commissioned as a flying officer when the defense program began.
During World War II, Castro served in the Pacific as a pilot and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, and the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters.
During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Castro was stationed at Hickman Field. He was able to get his aircraft off the ground to prevent it from being attacked and destroyed.
On December 27th, 1941, Castro's parents were notified that their son was missing in action after his plane failed to return. Castro and his entire crew were found on an emergency raft 40 miles south of Kauai after having instrument problems and running out of fuel. The crew went without any water or food for 4 days before being rescued.
On February 1, 1943, Castro flew his last mission. His crew departed from the base on Guadalcanal Island for a bombing mission near the Solomon islands. Unfortunately, their aircraft failed to return. The military listed them “missing in action” and eventually changed their status to “presumed dead.” Joaquin was promoted from 1st. Lt. to Captain following his death.
In 1968, Citriana Elementary was renamed to Joaquin Castro Elementary to honor his service
