Hector Andres Negroni
Encyclopedia
Colonel Héctor Andrés Negroni (born January 30, 1938) is a historian
, senior aerospace defense executive, author
and the first Puerto Rican
graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He was commissioned by Spain's Fifth Centennial Commission to write the "Historia Militar de Puerto Rico" (A Military History of Puerto Rico).
which is located in the southwestern region of the island. There he received his primary education. While still young, his parents moved to Santa Rosa, California
. During this period of his life, his family continued to move and Negroni was to attend school in the Mexican
city of Veracruz and finally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
In 1956, he graduated from Frankford High School and enrolled in Drexel University
located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he completed one year of civil engineering before he received appointments for all three service academies, The United States Military Academy
at West Point, The United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis, Maryland
and the United States Air Force Academy
at Colorado Springs. He decided for the Air Force Academy where in 1961 he earned a bachelor of science degree in Engineering with a major in Public Affairs. Negroni was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and was awarded his navigator wings.
, in Texas
. In 1964, the Air Force presented him with a scholarship to pursue a masters degree at the University of Puerto Rico
. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and earned a master of arts degree in Hispanic Studies. Negroni served as an Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Air Force Academy between the years 1967 to 1971. There he taught and directed all the Spanish courses. He also holds degrees from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
and the Air War College
.
Negroni participated in combat missions during the Vietnam War
and accumulated over 600 combat hours. During his tour he served in the 553rd Reconnaissance Squadron stationed in Korat
, Thailand
and as Chief of Combat Operation in the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron in Udon
, Thailand.
In 1973, he was assigned to the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
, serving as an aircraft commander, flight commander, assistant operations officer, and wing chief of aircrew training. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1977 and became the Commander of the 3rd Mobile Aerial Port Squadron.
In 1978, he was named the Chief of Liaison for the Joint United States Military Group in Spain
. The Spanish Government
presented Negroni with its highest Air Force peacetime award, the Aeronautical Merit Cross for his contributions to the successful implementation of the United States-Spain Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
In 1980, Negroni was reasigned to the Pentagon and in 1981 promoted to Colonel. Among the positions which he held in the Pentagon are the following:
On December 1992, Negroni became a private management consultant specializing in project, marketing, and proposal management. He was also involved with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers where he acted as Eastern Regional Director; the Latin American Management Association as Executive Director and T.E. Systems, Inc. as Vice President of Business Development.
In 1996, he joined AlliedSignal Aerospace Company (which later became Honeywell International) as the General Manager for their Huntsville, Alabama Office. His responsibilities include marketing, sales and support activities with NASA
's Marshall Space Center and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at the Redstone Arsenal
in Huntsville, Alabama
. He retired from the aerospace defense industry in 2000.
Negroni has also authored over 150 articles which have been published in various U.S. and foreign journals. He is a commercial pilot, a certified Spanish-English diplomatic translator-interpreter. He is the author of "Historia Militar de Puerto Rico" (A Military History of Puerto Rico (the book)), commissioned by Spain's Fifth Centennial Commission. His research of the Corsican-Puerto Rican connection
has provided a wealth of information about the Puerto Rico's ties with Corsica. Among Negroni's works is "La Genealogía de Puerto Rico" (The Genealogy of Puerto Rico) which provides an indepth study of the Puerto Rican people, "The History of Yauco" and "The History of the Negroni Family". He is currently married to Joan Leah Blanco with whom he had two sons, Hector Emilio, a Managing Director in Goldman Sachs and Xavier Andres, a Managing Director for Pierpont Securities in Stamford, CT. Negroni and his wife currently reside in Vienna, Virginia
"
Badges:
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, senior aerospace defense executive, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and the first Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He was commissioned by Spain's Fifth Centennial Commission to write the "Historia Militar de Puerto Rico" (A Military History of Puerto Rico).
Early years
Negroni was born in the town of Yauco, Puerto RicoYauco, Puerto Rico
Yauco is a city and municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island by the Caribbean, south of Maricao, Lares and Adjuntas; east of Sabana Grande and Guánica; and west of Guayanilla. Yauco is spread over 20 wards and Yauco Pueblo...
which is located in the southwestern region of the island. There he received his primary education. While still young, his parents moved to Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...
. During this period of his life, his family continued to move and Negroni was to attend school in the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
city of Veracruz and finally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
In 1956, he graduated from Frankford High School and enrolled in Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he completed one year of civil engineering before he received appointments for all three service academies, The United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, The United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
at Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
and the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
at Colorado Springs. He decided for the Air Force Academy where in 1961 he earned a bachelor of science degree in Engineering with a major in Public Affairs. Negroni was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and was awarded his navigator wings.
Military career
In 1962, he received his pilot wings after completing pilot training at Reese Air Force BaseReese Air Force Base
Reese Air Force Base was a base of the United States Air Force located 6 mi west of Lubbock, Texas, about 225 mi WNW of Fort Worth...
, in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In 1964, the Air Force presented him with a scholarship to pursue a masters degree at the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and earned a master of arts degree in Hispanic Studies. Negroni served as an Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Air Force Academy between the years 1967 to 1971. There he taught and directed all the Spanish courses. He also holds degrees from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
and the Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
.
Negroni participated in combat missions during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and accumulated over 600 combat hours. During his tour he served in the 553rd Reconnaissance Squadron stationed in Korat
Korat
Korats are a slate blue-grey shorthair domestic cat with a small to medium build and a low percentage of body fat. Their bodies are semi-cobby, and surprisingly heavy for their size. They are intelligent, playful, active cats and form strong bonds with people. Among Korats' distinguishing...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and as Chief of Combat Operation in the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron in Udon
Udon
is a type of thick wheat-flour noodle of Japanese cuisine.Udon is usually served hot as noodle soup in its simplest form as kake udon, in a mildly flavoured broth called kakejiru which is made of dashi, soy sauce , and mirin. It is usually topped with thinly chopped scallions...
, Thailand.
In 1973, he was assigned to the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, serving as an aircraft commander, flight commander, assistant operations officer, and wing chief of aircrew training. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1977 and became the Commander of the 3rd Mobile Aerial Port Squadron.
In 1978, he was named the Chief of Liaison for the Joint United States Military Group in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The Spanish Government
Spanish Government
Spain is a constitutional monarchy whose government is defined by the Constitution of Spain. This was approved by a general referendum of the people of Spain in 1978...
presented Negroni with its highest Air Force peacetime award, the Aeronautical Merit Cross for his contributions to the successful implementation of the United States-Spain Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
In 1980, Negroni was reasigned to the Pentagon and in 1981 promoted to Colonel. Among the positions which he held in the Pentagon are the following:
- Latin America Politico-Military Affairs Officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Vice Commander for the Air District of Washington at Bolling Air Force Base.
- Chief of the Policy and Management Division, Directorate of International Program, Deputate of Programs and Resources at the Headquarters United States Air Force in the Pentagon.
Later years
In October 1985, Negroni retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service. He then he joined the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. He was named Manager of the International Business Development for the Harpoon anti-ship missile program in the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company. In 1987 he was appointed Manager International Program Development for McDonnell Aircraft Company. In 1990 he was named General Manager for McDonnell Douglas Spain Ltd., a subsidiary of McDonnell Douglas Corporation.On December 1992, Negroni became a private management consultant specializing in project, marketing, and proposal management. He was also involved with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers where he acted as Eastern Regional Director; the Latin American Management Association as Executive Director and T.E. Systems, Inc. as Vice President of Business Development.
In 1996, he joined AlliedSignal Aerospace Company (which later became Honeywell International) as the General Manager for their Huntsville, Alabama Office. His responsibilities include marketing, sales and support activities with NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Marshall Space Center and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at the Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal is a United States Army base and a census-designated place adjacent to Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama, United States and is part of the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area...
in Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
. He retired from the aerospace defense industry in 2000.
Negroni has also authored over 150 articles which have been published in various U.S. and foreign journals. He is a commercial pilot, a certified Spanish-English diplomatic translator-interpreter. He is the author of "Historia Militar de Puerto Rico" (A Military History of Puerto Rico (the book)), commissioned by Spain's Fifth Centennial Commission. His research of the Corsican-Puerto Rican connection
Corsican immigration to Puerto Rico
Corsican immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of various economic and political changes in the mid-19th century Europe; among those factors were the social-economic changes which came about in Europe as a result of the Second Industrial Revolution, political discontent and widespread...
has provided a wealth of information about the Puerto Rico's ties with Corsica. Among Negroni's works is "La Genealogía de Puerto Rico" (The Genealogy of Puerto Rico) which provides an indepth study of the Puerto Rican people, "The History of Yauco" and "The History of the Negroni Family". He is currently married to Joan Leah Blanco with whom he had two sons, Hector Emilio, a Managing Director in Goldman Sachs and Xavier Andres, a Managing Director for Pierpont Securities in Stamford, CT. Negroni and his wife currently reside in Vienna, Virginia
Vienna, Virginia
Vienna is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 15,687. Significantly more people live in zip codes with the Vienna postal addresses bordered approximately by Interstate 66 on the south, Interstate 495 on the east, Route 7 to...
"
Awards and recognitions
Among Col. Negroni's many U.S. and foreign decorations and awards are the following:
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Defense Meritorious Service MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" for valor
Combat Readiness MedalCombat Readiness MedalThe Combat Readiness Medal is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1964. The original Combat Readiness Medal was an award senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal and was awarded for superior and meritorious duty to the United States Air Force...
National Defense Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with three battle stars
Humanitarian Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalThe Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under...
Vietnam Campaign MedalVietnam Campaign MedalThe Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is...
Badges:
Command pilot
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeThe Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge is a U.S. Military badge presented to the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff upon appointment to position as either a Service Head, Vice Chairman, or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The decoration is also authorized to staff and...
Foreign decorations
- Cruz de Mérito Aeronáutico (Aeronautical Merit Cross), Spain
- Command Pilot Wings, Bolivia
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- Corsican immigration to Puerto RicoCorsican immigration to Puerto RicoCorsican immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of various economic and political changes in the mid-19th century Europe; among those factors were the social-economic changes which came about in Europe as a result of the Second Industrial Revolution, political discontent and widespread...
- Hispanics in the United States Air ForceHispanics in the United States Air ForceHispanics in the United States Air Force can trace their tradition of service back to the United States Army Air Forces , the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, which was the predecessor of the United States Air Force which was formed as...
External links
- Historia Militar de Puerto Rico (A military History of Puerto Rico)
- Historia Militar de Puerto Rico http://home.coqui.net/sarrasin/resena.negroni.htm
- The Puerto Rican soldiers
- Historical Summary of the Negroni Family "La Genealogía de Puerto Rico" (The Genealogy of Puerto Rico) by Héctor Andrés Negroni In Spanish*