TAMPA, Fla. — A ceremony on Monday officially renamed part of a Ybor City street in honor of a World War II hero and grandson of the historic city's founder.
City leaders gathered on the southwest corner of East 9th Avenue at North 19th Street where a portion of the road will now bear the name of Salvador Martinez Ybor Jr. Known affectionately as "Salvin," he served during World War II.
He enlisted in the Army Infantry Division when he was 32 and reportedly played a "pivotal" role in the 43rd Infantry's invasion of the Philippines. In January 1945, Salvador was critically wounded during the Battle of Luzon. He died and was buried at sea.
However, his service and sacrifice weren't forgotten. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, "a recognition that underscores his bravery and dedication."
The award was donated to the Ybor City Museum by his nephew, Ignacio Martinez Ybor, and is now featured in the Made in the USA Exhibit. Ybor's name is also memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippians.
According to the organization National History Day, the Purple Heart was carried out of Cuba during the Castro-led revolution when the family fled and "is one of the few treasured personal items of his uncle's that his nephew still has today." Throughout his time in the service, he sent letters and packages to his nephew, the website said.
Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera and State Sen. Jay Collins led the event with representatives from the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Ybor City Museum State Park.