Daniel Santos (singer)

Daniel Santos (June 6th, 1916 - November 27th, 1992) was a Puerto Rican singer and composer. During World War II, Santos was stationed at Maui Island before serving in the Battle of Okinawa. After World War II ended, Santos returned to Puerto Rico, where he became a supporter of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party.

Biography
In the early 1940s, many Puerto Rican men were drafted for World War II, among them Santos. Santos recorded "My Goodbye", a farewell song from the viewpoint of an Army recruit who had to leave behind his girlfriend and his ailing mother, which became a hit.

Santos finished basic training in Kentucky. He was then enlisted into the army and stationed at Maui Island. In Maui, he was assigned to a US Army infantry unit for replenishment in the Pacific theatre. Santos joked that "replenishment levies" because of his guitar playing skills. Nevertheless, in the final months of World War II, Santos was stationed in Okinawa where he fought in the Battle of Okinawa. Santos teamed up with another soldier named Juanito Jimenez as a duo dubbed "Los Cumbancharos". When the war concluded, Santos return to New York, where he received a tribute upon arrival.

Santos later returned to Puerto Rico. There, he performed at concerts as a part of the Puerto Rican Indepedence Movement. He became a supporter of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party after all the prejudice he expierenced during World War II.