Posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom on August 8, 1994 by
President Bill Clinton. Only second Mexican American in history to be
awarded this honor.
Took a 25 day fast in 1968 to affirm UFW's commitment to nonviolence.
The late senator Robert F. Kennedy flew to Delano, California to be with Chavez
when he ended the fast. He called Chavez "one of the heroic figures of
our time."
Joined U.S. Navy in 1945. Served in Pacific during end of World War II.