Francisco Mercado, Jr.
Francisco Mercado, Jr. was a member of the United States Army Air Forces and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross who earned his membership to the exclusive Caterpillar Club having saved his life by parachuting over England while returning from a mission with a crippled B24 during World War II.
Mercado was born in East Los Angeles, California and baptized as David Mercado. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1939. Having an aptitude and interest in electrical work, he graduated from Frank Wiggins Trade School with high standing in 1940. However, all in his class were chosen as apprentice electricians by the electricians union except the two minority men, Mercado and a JapaneseAmerican.
Source: Wikipedia