World War II by country warships and the German ship "Admiral Graf Spee" fought the Battle of the River Plate in the zone. This prompted a joint protest from several Latin American nations to both sides. ("Admiral Graf Spee" took refuge in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, claiming sanctuary in a neutral port, but was later ordered out.) In early 1942, President Baldomir broke off diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. On 15 February 1945, near the end of the war, Uruguay dropped its neutrality and joined the Allies. Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union during World War II. So see this article's section on the
Hispanic Americans in World War II role in the first American undersea spy mission of the Cold War as commander of the submarine in what became known as the "Cochino Incident". Captain Charles Kenneth Ruiz, USN, was a crew member of the cruiser , during the Battle of Savo Island. After being rescued at sea and sent to Pearl Harbor, he was invited by Admiral Chester Nimitz to join the Submarine Service. He served with distinction aboard the submarine and participated in eight war patrols in the hostile waters of the Pacific during World War II and on. The Medal of Honor is the highest military