Jorge Otero Barreto
Encyclopedia
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto (Ret.) a.k.a. "The Puerto Rican
Rambo
" (born c. 1938), was a member of the United States Army
who was the most decorated soldier in the Vietnam War
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 Air Assault School
from which he graduated in 1960.
. Among his many decorations are 3 Silver Star
s, 5 Bronze Star
s with Valor, 5 Purple Heart
s and 5 Air Medal
s (one each for every 5th mission which involved a helicopter
).
, Ohio
. 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".
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.
The town of Vega Baja dedicated their Military Museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum".
Badges
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...
Rambo
John Rambo
John Rambo is an iconic fictional character and the basis of the Rambo saga. He first appeared in the 1972 novel First Blood by David Morrell, but later became more famous in the film series, played by Sylvester Stallone...
" (born c. 1938), was a member of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
who was the most decorated soldier in 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...
Early years
Otero Barreto was born in the town of Vega Baja, Puerto RicoVega Baja, Puerto Rico
Vega Baja is a municipality in north central Puerto Rico located in the northern coast, north of Morovis; east of Manatí; and west of Vega Alta. Vega Baja is spread over 13 wards and Vega Baja Pueblo...
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 Air Assault School
United States Army Air Assault School
The Sabalauski Air Assault School is a FORSCOM TDA unit located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Its primary task is training leaders and soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division , other US Army units and US armed services in several courses annually.- Background :Air Assault School qualifies...
from which he graduated in 1960.
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. Otero-Barreto participated in 200 combat missions and was awarded 38 military decorations, making him the most decorated person in the United States military of the Vietnam WarVietnam 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...
. Among his many decorations are 3 Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
s, 5 Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
s with Valor, 5 Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s and 5 Air Medal
Air Medal
The 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:...
s (one each for every 5th mission which involved a helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
).
Recognitions
Otero Barreto was the keynote speaker at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner in LorainLorain
-Places:* Lorain, Ohio* Lorain, Pennsylvania* Lorain, Wisconsin* Lorain County, Ohio** Lorain County Community College* Lorain Township, Minnesota-Organizations:* Lorain City School District* Lorain Correctional Institution* Lorain County Transit...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. 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".
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #866 in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
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.
The town of Vega Baja dedicated their Military Museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum".
Military decorations
Among SFC Otero Barreto's military decorations:
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with four oak leaf clusters
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
with four oak leaf clusters- Air Medal
Air 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:...
with four oak leaf clusters 
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
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...
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...
Badges
Air Assault BadgeAir Assault BadgeThe Air Assault Badge, pictured to the right, is awarded by the U.S. Army for successful completion of the Air Assault School, a two-week course. The course includes three phases of instruction involving U.S. Army rotary wing aircraft: combat air assault operations; rigging and slingload...
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel