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{{Notability|Biographies|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name = Jorge Otero Barreto
|name = Jorge Otero Barreto
|birth_date = 7 April 1937<ref>[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/o/r/Lucy-Torres/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-1178.html ''Jorge A. Otero-Barreto (b. April 07, 1937).''] Ancestry.com. 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>
|birth_date = (c. 1938)
|death_date =
|death_date =
|birth_place = [[Vega Baja, Puerto Rico]] |
|birth_place = [[Vega Baja, Puerto Rico]] |
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|image = J Otero jpg.jpg
|image = J Otero jpg.jpg
|image_size = 150
|image_size = 150
|caption = '''Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto'''<br/><small>The most decorated American soldier of the Vietnam War</small>
|caption = '''Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto'''<br/><small>The most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War</small>
|nickname =
|nickname = ''The Puerto Rican Rambo''
|allegiance = [[United States|United States of America]]
|allegiance = [[United States|United States of America]]
|branch = [[File:United States Department of the Army Seal.svg|25px]]&nbsp;[[United States Army]]
|branch = [[File:United States Department of the Army Seal.svg|25px]]&nbsp;[[United States Army]]
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}}
}}


Sergeant First Class '''Jorge Otero Barreto'''<ref group=note>{{Spanish name|'''Otero'''|'''Barreto'''}}</ref> (Ret.) a.k.a. "The [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] [[John Rambo|Rambo]]" (born c. 1938), was a member of the [[United States Army]] who was the most decorated [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic American]] soldier in the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="PRDS">[http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1321065604 ''War veterans recognized at Fort Buchanan.'' Rafael R. Díaz Torres. Puerto Rico Daily Sun. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>
Sergeant First Class '''Jorge A. Otero Barreto'''<ref group=note>{{Spanish name|'''Otero'''|'''Barreto'''}}</ref> (Ret.) has been called "the most decorated U.S. soldier of the [[Vietnam War]]".<ref>[http://www.prstatehood.com/news/llenza_1108.pdf ''Remarks of Major General Orlando Llenza, USAF (Ret.), Delivered to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida, 6th Annual Gala, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.''] 25 October 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.vva.org/archive/TheVeteran/2001_01/memnotes.htm ''Membership Notes.''] December 2000/January 2001. Vietnam Veterans of America. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref><ref name="PRDS">[http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1321065604 ''War veterans recognized at Fort Buchanan.''] Rafael R. Díaz Torres. Puerto Rico Daily Sun. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> He is also known as "The [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] [[John Rambo|Rambo]]".<ref>[http://www.latinoalliance.net/profiles-in-courage.html ''Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War.''] Latino Alliance. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>


==Early years==
==Early years==
Otero Barreto was born in the town of [[Vega Baja, Puerto Rico]] where he received his primary and secondary education. He studied biology for three years, until 1959 when he joined the U.S. Army. After his basic training he was sent to the Army's [[United States Army Air Assault School|Air Assault School]] from which he graduated in 1960.<ref>[http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml;jsessionid=VC1MTHIRJBNKCCWIABJSFFQKZAADWIWC?cid=1688017 ''Sargento Jorge Otero Barreto: Es el soldado boricua más condecorado''. Hispanidad: Nuestros Paises. Univision] Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>
Otero Barreto was born on 7 April 1937 in the town of [[Vega Baja, Puerto Rico]], the son of Eloy Otero-Bruno and Crispina Barreto-Torres.<ref>[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/o/r/Lucy-Torres/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-1178.html ''Jorge A. Otero-Barreto (b. April 07, 1937).''] Ancestry.com. 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> There he received his primary and secondary education. He attended college for three years, studying biology until 1959 when he joined the U.S. Army. After his [[basic training]], he attended the Army's [[United States Army Air Assault School|Air Assault School]], graduating in 1960.<ref>[http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml;jsessionid=VC1MTHIRJBNKCCWIABJSFFQKZAADWIWC?cid=1688017 ''Sargento Jorge Otero Barreto: Es el soldado boricua más condecorado''.] Hispanidad: Nuestros Paises. Univision. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>


==Vietnam War==
==Vietnam War==
Otero Barreto joined the U.S. Army and from 1961 to 1970 served five tours in Southeast Asia, starting as an advisor who helped train Vietnamese troops.<ref>[http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18501576&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6 Puerto Rican veteran shares tales of Vietnam]</ref> Otero-Barreto participated in 200 combat missions<ref name="Puerto Rico ante el Mundo">[http://groups.msn.com/TatobienProductions/forsale.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=1175&LastModified=4675617750821093123&all_topics=1 Puerto Rico ante el Mundo]{{Self-published source|date=August 2012}}</ref> and was awarded 38 military decorations, making him the most decorated Hispanic American of the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="PRDS"/> Among his many decorations are 3 [[Silver Star]]s, 5 [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]]s with Valor, 5 [[Purple Heart]]s and 5 [[Air Medal]]s (one each for every 5th mission which involved a [[helicopter]]).<ref name="Puerto Rico ante el Mundo"/><ref>[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18508255&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46368&rfi=6 Mourning Journal]{{failed verification|date=August 2012}}</ref>
From 1961 to 1970, Otero Barreto served five tours in [[Southeast Asia]], starting as an advisor who helped train Vietnamese troops.<ref>[http://www.latinoalliance.net/profiles-in-courage.html ''Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War.''] Profiles in Courage. Latino Alliance. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18501576&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6 ''Puerto Rican veteran shares tales of Vietnam.''] The Morning Journal. </ref> He participated in 200 combat missions<ref>[http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1321065604 ''War veterans recognized at Fort Buchanan.''] Rafael R. Díaz Torres. Puerto Rico Daily Sun. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> and was awarded 38 military decorations,<ref>[http://articles.courant.com/1996-03-28/news/9603280251_1_puerto-ricans-vietnam-veterans-memorial-puerto-rico ''''Acceptance In U.S. Role A Long March For Veterans.''] Mike Swift. Hartford Courant. 28 March 1996. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> making him "the most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War."<ref>[http://www.prstatehood.com/news/llenza_1108.pdf ''Remarks of Major General Orlando Llenza, USAF (Ret.), Delivered to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida, 6th Annual Gala, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.''] 25 October 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref><ref name="PRDS"/> Among his many decorations are 3 [[Silver Star]]s, 5 [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]]s with Valor, 5 [[Purple Heart]]s and 5 [[Air Medal]]s (one each for every 5th mission which involved a [[helicopter]]).<ref>[http://www.prstatehood.com/news/llenza_1108.pdf ''Remarks of Major General Orlando Llenza, USAF (Ret.), Delivered to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida, 6th Annual Gala, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.''] 25 October 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.latinoalliance.net/profiles-in-courage.html Latino Alliance Profiles in Courage!]</ref>

Some news medias, such as the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, are quoted as stating that Otero Barre was the most decorated soldier in the Vietnam War<ref name="PRDS"/> however, both Captain [[Joe Hooper (Medal of Honor)|Joe Hooper]] and Colonel [[Robert L. Howard]], [[Medal of Honor]] recipients, earned more decorations.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/22/AR2010012204550.html ''Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70.'' T. Rees Shapiro. Washington Post. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2012.]</ref><ref>[http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1215162930145160.xml&coll=1 ''Hometown hero is Spirit honoree: Capt. Joe Hooper most-decorated Vietnam War vet.'' 4 July 2008. Huntsville Times. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>
Otero Barreto has been called "the most decorated Puerto Rican veteran,"<ref>[http://www.vva.org/archive/TheVeteran/2001_01/memnotes.htm ''Membership Notes.''] December 2000/January 2001. Vietnam Veterans of America. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> and the news media<ref>[http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1321065604 ''War veterans recognized at Fort Buchanan.''] Rafael R. Díaz Torres. Puerto Rico Daily Sun. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>and various organizations<ref>[http://www.latinoalliance.net/profiles-in-courage.html ''Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War.''] Latino Alliance. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> have called him "the most decorated soldier in the Vietnam War".<ref name="PRDS"/> Whatever the case, Otero Barreto remains one of the most decorated Vietnam War veterans, and possibly the most decorated US soldier in the Vietnam War living today.<ref>[http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1215162930145160.xml&coll=1 ''Hometown hero is Spirit honoree: Capt. Joe Hooper most-decorated Vietnam War vet.''] Huntsville Times. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/22/AR2010012204550.html ''Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70.''] T. Rees Shapiro. Washington Post. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref>


==Recognitions==
==Recognitions==
⚫
On 22 June 2012, Otero Barreto was the keynote speaker at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner in [[Lorain]], [[Ohio]].<ref>[http://www.cityoflorain.org/parks/calendar?view=36222 ''Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner.''] Lorain County Vietnam War Fallen Heroes Recogintion Dinner. Calendar. City of Lorain, Ohio. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> In 2006, the Coalición Nacional Puertoriqueña (National Puerto Rican Coalition) honored Otero Barreto with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" in a Conference held at the Hotel Hilton of Chicago<ref>[http://www.eldiariony.com/noticias/detail.aspx?section=23&desc=COMUNIDAD&id=1483938 ''Realizan encuentro boricua en Chicago.''] El Diario-La Prensa. New York, NY 09/01/2006.</ref>


A transitional home for veterans in Springfield, Massachussetts, the SFC Jorge Otero-Barreto
⚫
Otero Barreto was the keynote speaker at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner in [[Lorain]], [[Ohio]].<ref>[http://www.cityoflorain.org/calendar/?e=36222 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner]</ref> In 2006, the Coalición Nacional Puertoriqueña (National Puerto Rican Collation) honored Otero Barreto in a Conference held at the Hotel Hilton of Chicago with a "Lifetime Achievement Award".<ref>[http://www.eldiariony.com/noticias/detail.aspx?section=23&desc=COMUNIDAD&id=1483938 Realizan encuentro boricua en Chicago 09/01/2006]</ref>
⚫
Homeless Veterans, was also named after Otero Barreto.<ref>[http://www.baystatevet.com/linked/august%20bsvv.pdf ''Outreach/Vet Centers & Transition Houses.''] The Bay State Veteran. August 2012 Newsletter. Page 4. The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> The home is managed by the [[Vietnam Veterans of America]] Chapter #866 in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. The home is part of a program named named the "Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Program" which houses twelve (12) veterans. The program offers counseling, DVA services from the Western Massachuetts Bi-Lingual Veterans Outreach Center, assistance in obtaining Chapter 115 financial assistance, [[Alcoholics Anonymous|AA]]/[[Narcotics Anonymous|NA]] meetings, and Christian Rehabilitation Substance Abuse meetings.<ref>[http://www.bilingualvets.org/images/transitional_home.htm ''Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Home.''] Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, Inc. Springfield, Mass. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.vva.org/archive/TheVeteran/2001_01/memnotes.htm - Veteran Publication]</ref>

⚫
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #866 in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]] was named the "Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Program" in his honor. The Program houses twelve (12) veterans offering counseling, DVA services from the Western Massachuetts Bi-Lingual Veterans Outreach Center, assistance in obtaining Chapter 115 financial assistance, AA/NA meetings and Christian Rehabilitation Substance Abuse meetings.<ref>[http://www.bilingualvets.org/images/transitional_home.htm ''Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional.'' Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, Inc. Springfield, Mass. Retrieved 26 August 2012.]</ref>


The town of Vega Baja dedicated their Military Museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum".<ref>[http://pobladores.lycos.es/channels/gente_y_ciudades/BORINQUEN/area/4 Borinquen]</ref> On October 2, 2011, Otero Barreto was named "Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo" (The Civic citizen of year of Vega Baja).<ref>[http://www.eldiariovb.com/files/111009.html Diario Vegabajeño. Vega Baja News, Inc. Retrieved 26 August 2012.]</ref><ref>[http://www.baystatevet.com/linked/august%20bsvv.pdf The Bay State Veteran. The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). Retrieved 26 August 2012.]</ref>
The town of Vega Baja dedicated their Military Museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum".<ref>[http://www.enciclopediapr.org/ing/article.cfm?ref=09042101&page=4 ''Municipalities / Vega Baja: Places of Interest.''] Puerto Rico Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> On October 2, 2011, Otero Barreto was named "Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo" (The Civic citizen of year of Vega Baja).<ref>[http://www.eldiariovb.com/files/111009.html ''Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo.''] Diario Vegabajeño. Vega Baja News, Inc. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2012.</ref> Otero Barreto was featured in the documentary "Brave Lords", A perspective of the war in Vietnam, as experienced by Puerto Rican soldiers.<ref>[http://www.bravelords.com/journal.html Brave Lords - Documentary]</ref>


==Military decorations==
==Military decorations==

Revision as of 06:19, 27 August 2012

Jorge Otero Barreto
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto
The most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War
Nickname(s)The Puerto Rican Rambo
Born7 April 1937[1]
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank
Sergeant First Class
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsSilver Star (3)
Bronze Star (5)
Purple Heart (5)
Air Medal (5)

Sergeant First Class Jorge A. Otero Barreto[note 1] (Ret.) has been called "the most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War".[2][3][4] He is also known as "The Puerto Rican Rambo".[5]

Early years

Otero Barreto was born on 7 April 1937 in the town of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, the son of Eloy Otero-Bruno and Crispina Barreto-Torres.[6] There he received his primary and secondary education. He attended college for three years, studying biology until 1959 when he joined the U.S. Army. After his basic training, he attended the Army's Air Assault School, graduating in 1960.[7]

Vietnam War

From 1961 to 1970, Otero Barreto served five tours in Southeast Asia, starting as an advisor who helped train Vietnamese troops.[8][9] He participated in 200 combat missions[10] and was awarded 38 military decorations,[11] making him "the most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War."[12][4] Among his many decorations are 3 Silver Stars, 5 Bronze Stars with Valor, 5 Purple Hearts and 5 Air Medals (one each for every 5th mission which involved a helicopter).[13][14]

Otero Barreto has been called "the most decorated Puerto Rican veteran,"[15] and the news media[16]and various organizations[17] have called him "the most decorated soldier in the Vietnam War".[4] Whatever the case, Otero Barreto remains one of the most decorated Vietnam War veterans, and possibly the most decorated US soldier in the Vietnam War living today.[18][19]

Recognitions

On 22 June 2012, Otero Barreto was the keynote speaker at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner in Lorain, Ohio.[20] In 2006, the Coalición Nacional Puertoriqueña (National Puerto Rican Coalition) honored Otero Barreto with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" in a Conference held at the Hotel Hilton of Chicago[21]

A transitional home for veterans in Springfield, Massachussetts, the SFC Jorge Otero-Barreto Homeless Veterans, was also named after Otero Barreto.[22] The home is managed by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #866 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The home is part of a program named named the "Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Program" which houses twelve (12) veterans. The program offers counseling, DVA services from the Western Massachuetts Bi-Lingual Veterans Outreach Center, assistance in obtaining Chapter 115 financial assistance, AA/NA meetings, and Christian Rehabilitation Substance Abuse meetings.[23][24]

The town of Vega Baja dedicated their Military Museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum".[25] On October 2, 2011, Otero Barreto was named "Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo" (The Civic citizen of year of Vega Baja).[26] Otero Barreto was featured in the documentary "Brave Lords", A perspective of the war in Vietnam, as experienced by Puerto Rican soldiers.[27]

Military decorations

Among SFC Otero Barreto's military decorations:

Badges

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Template:Spanish name

References

  1. ^ Jorge A. Otero-Barreto (b. April 07, 1937). Ancestry.com. 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  2. ^ Remarks of Major General Orlando Llenza, USAF (Ret.), Delivered to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida, 6th Annual Gala, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  3. ^ Membership Notes. December 2000/January 2001. Vietnam Veterans of America. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  4. ^ a b c War veterans recognized at Fort Buchanan. Rafael R. Díaz Torres. Puerto Rico Daily Sun. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  5. ^ Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War. Latino Alliance. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  6. ^ Jorge A. Otero-Barreto (b. April 07, 1937). Ancestry.com. 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  7. ^ Sargento Jorge Otero Barreto: Es el soldado boricua más condecorado. Hispanidad: Nuestros Paises. Univision. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  8. ^ Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War. Profiles in Courage. Latino Alliance. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  9. ^ Puerto Rican veteran shares tales of Vietnam. The Morning Journal.
  10. ^ War veterans recognized at Fort Buchanan. Rafael R. Díaz Torres. Puerto Rico Daily Sun. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  11. ^ ''Acceptance In U.S. Role A Long March For Veterans. Mike Swift. Hartford Courant. 28 March 1996. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  12. ^ Remarks of Major General Orlando Llenza, USAF (Ret.), Delivered to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida, 6th Annual Gala, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  13. ^ Remarks of Major General Orlando Llenza, USAF (Ret.), Delivered to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida, 6th Annual Gala, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  14. ^ Latino Alliance Profiles in Courage!
  15. ^ Membership Notes. December 2000/January 2001. Vietnam Veterans of America. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  16. ^ War veterans recognized at Fort Buchanan. Rafael R. Díaz Torres. Puerto Rico Daily Sun. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  17. ^ Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War. Latino Alliance. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  18. ^ Hometown hero is Spirit honoree: Capt. Joe Hooper most-decorated Vietnam War vet. Huntsville Times. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  19. ^ Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70. T. Rees Shapiro. Washington Post. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  20. ^ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner. Lorain County Vietnam War Fallen Heroes Recogintion Dinner. Calendar. City of Lorain, Ohio. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  21. ^ Realizan encuentro boricua en Chicago. El Diario-La Prensa. New York, NY 09/01/2006.
  22. ^ Outreach/Vet Centers & Transition Houses. The Bay State Veteran. August 2012 Newsletter. Page 4. The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  23. ^ Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Home. Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, Inc. Springfield, Mass. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  24. ^ - Veteran Publication
  25. ^ Municipalities / Vega Baja: Places of Interest. Puerto Rico Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  26. ^ Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo. Diario Vegabajeño. Vega Baja News, Inc. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  27. ^ Brave Lords - Documentary

Template:Persondata

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