the 1965 Revolution/American occupation

[Dee DeMusis]

Hi there,y'all--

I am hoping someone can help me with some information and/or personal anecdotes regarding the events leading up to and including the 1965 revolution and the American occupation of the DR at the time. Is there anyone who was in the American military who was in the DR or is there anyone from the DR who can tell me about their experiences? I am writing a book and this period figures very prominently in my story. Apparently, many Dominicans came to the US at that time and I would like to hear from you, too.

One friend told me about fleeing the old city over the Duarte bridge. Does anyone remember this?

Any help or information would be gratefully appreciated. Please contact me here on the Board or at my Hotmail address.

Thanks.

Dee

 

[Santiago]

Your book idea seems fascinating. By the way, one rarely explored consequence of the US invasion was a number of children born to Dominican mothers and US Marines. I have a friend in Santo Domingo whose father was a US soldier and his mother a young Dominican woman whom he decided to set up in a small apartment while he was stationed in the DR. However, once he returned to the US, he only stayed in touch for a short while before - you guessed it! - disappearing. The son tried to find out the father's whereabouts many years later and a report from the Marines, obtained with help from someone at the US Embassy in Santo Domingo, indicated he had passed away in the 1980s. The son should rightfully be a US citizen but has no way to get his papers in order now that his father is dead. A sad story, but one that was not totally uncommon during those turbulent months in 1964-1965 in the Dominican Republic. Many Dominican families in this predicament, it seems, simply chose not to discuss or expose the matter since it was somewhat embarassing and politically sensitive. Good luck with your book!

 

[arcoiris]

My husband's father was in the military and was shot, though I don't know the details, I do know that the people do still feel the affects and repercussions of this time, and so are in many ways still dealing with it. What will be the perspective that you write with? Most authors go into a project with their own point of view. What are your thoughts on the subject?

 

[Elias Rodriguez, CFA]

There is a video documentary out by Rene Fortunato called Abril la trinchera del honor which details the origins of what brought about the revolution back in 1965 and has actual footage from some journalists.

It is done by the director's perspective and you can also use Manual de Historia Dominicana by Frank Moya Pons.

I personally have heard many stories on the subject since I was born in NYC (my parents arrived in 1962) about a month before the war and my grandmother stayed with the family for more than she expected since she could not go home (no commercial flights) and my family was all worried about family members at home.