New Northeast Middle School Honors Heroic El Pasoan And Soldier

Bassett and Armendariz middle school students will be merged into a new school named after an Army hero.

The new school will be built near the current William Beaumont hospital location across from McKelligon Canyon. (The new William Beaumont location is on the east side, off Loop 375.)  It is to be named after Capt. Gabriel Navarrete. According to the El Paso Herald Post:

Navarrete was born in El Paso in 1915 and enlisted in the Army in 1940. He quickly rose through the ranks and served under Capt. John Chapin during WWII. He participated in four battles and was wounded eight times during his service in Europe.

For his service, he obtained the coveted Combat Infantry Badge as well as four Purple Heart medals, two Silver Star medals, a Distinguished Service Cross medal and a Medal of Honor. - EPHP

Capt. Navarrete was also one of the few survivors of the legendary ... and doomed ... United States Army Company E.  A unit comprised mostly, if not entirely, of young El Pasoans.