Jorge Otero Barreto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Otero and the second or maternal family name is Barreto.
Jorge Otero Barreto
J Otero jpg.jpg
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto
Nickname(s)The Puerto Rican Rambo
"Sergeant Rock"
Born (1937-04-07) 7 April 1937 (age 84)[1]
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Department of the Army Seal.svg United States Army
Years of service1959–1970
RankArmy-USA-OR-07.svg Sergeant First Class
Unit101AirborneDivCSIB.jpg 101st Airborne
25th Infantry Division.patch.png 25th Infantry
82nd Airborne Division CSIB.svg 82nd Airborne

173Airborne Brigade Shoulder Patch.png 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team

Battles/warsVietnam War (WIA)
AwardsSilver Star ribbon.svg Silver Star Medal (2)
Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 3rd award.svg Bronze Star Medal (5) w/ "V" Device
Air Medal ribbon.svg Air Medal (5)
ArmyComRib.png Army Commendation Medal (4)
Purple Heart ribbon.svg Purple Heart Medal (5)

Sergeant First Class Jorge A. Otero Barreto (born 7 April 1937), a.k.a. "the Puerto Rican Rambo" and "Sergeant Rock",[2][3] is a former United States Army soldier. He earned 38 military decorations during his career, and has been called the most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War.[4][2][3][5][6] He has received recognition from numerous organizations and has had buildings named after him. He is also the main subject of Brave Lords, a documentary about the Puerto Rican experience in the war in Vietnam.[7][8]

Early years[]

Otero Barreto was born in the town of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, the son of Eloy Otero-Bruno and Crispina Barreto-Torres.[1] His father named him "Jorge", Spanish for George, after George Washington whom Otero-Bruno admired. In Vega Baja, Otero Barreto received his primary and secondary education. He attended college for three years, studying biology until 1959 when he joined the U.S. Army, which he chose over medical school in Spain.[9] After his basic training, he continued to train with the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, graduating in 1960.[10]

Vietnam War[]

From 1961 to 1970, Otero Barreto served five tours in Southeast Asia,[11] starting as an advisor who helped train Vietnamese troops.[2][3][12] According to the documentary "Brave Lords", Otero Barreto served in various military units during his military career. He served in the 101st Airborne Division and the 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning". He also served in the 82nd Airborne Division and in the 173rd Airborne Brigade.[2][3] He participated in 200 combat missions,[2][3] was wounded five times,[13] and was awarded 38 military decorations.[14] Among his many decorations are 2 Silver Stars, 5 Bronze Stars with Valor, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 5 Purple Hearts and 5 Air Medals.[5][15][7][8]

Referred to as Puerto Rican Rambo or Sergeant Rock,[9] Otero Barreto has been called "the most decorated Puerto Rican veteran,"[6] and media[2][3] and some organizations[16] have called him "the most decorated soldier in the Vietnam War."[2][3] However NBC News said that Robert L. Howard may have been the most highly decorated American soldier of the modern era,[17] while KWTX-TV states that Howard was "said to be the most decorated service member in the history of the United States".[18] John Plaster in his 1998 book SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam states that Howard "remains to this day the most highly decorated American soldier."[19] Otero Barreto was highly decorated during Vietnam and is possibly the most decorated Puerto Rican veteran of the Vietnam War living today.[20][21][7][8]

Silver Stars[]

Otero Barreto earned both his Silver Stars in the first months of 1968, a period dominated by the Tet Offensive. A member of Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 502nd Infantry (assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Second Brigade), Otero Barreto won his first Silver Star in an action on 17 February near Quang Tri (the brigade was part of Operation Jeb Stuart), while the second came north of Hue on 1 May (part of Operation Carentan II).

During the 17 February fight, Otero Barreto's unit was operating near Quang Tri when they encountered concealed enemy positions and came under heavy fire. Then a staff sergeant, Otero Barreto took control of a machine gun (according to the Silver Star citation the gunner had been wounded and the assistant gunner killed) and covered the withdrawal of his platoon until he expended all the gun's ammunition. Wounded during the fight, he also organized the unit's orderly withdrawal from the area.[22]

His second Silver Star was awarded less than three months later (1 May), and came during Operation Carentan II north of Hue. Still with Company A, although promoted to Platoon Sergeant, Otero Barreto's unit was occupying defensive positions near a village when they came under attack. According to the award citation, the attackers were part of the 8th Battalion, 90th North Vietnamese Army Regiment and were trying to break through the cordon established around the village. The attacks began at 0415, and after three assaults failed the NVA fell back into the village. According to the award citation, Otero Barreto led his squad into the village, neutralizing several defensive positions in the process, and positioned his squad to provide covering fire so the rest of the company could advance.[23]

Otero Barreto later earned a Bronze Star with Echo Company's Recon Platoon on 3 December 1968.[24]

Post-War Honors[]

On 22 June 2012, Otero Barreto was the keynote speaker at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner in Lorain, Ohio.[25] On 1 September 2006, the Coalición Nacional Puertorriqueña (National Puerto Rican Coalition) honored Otero Barreto with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" in a Conference held at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago. The keynote speaker was U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez.[26][27]

A transitional home for veterans in Springfield, Massachusetts, the SFC Jorge Otero-Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Home, was also named after Otero Barreto.[28] The home is managed by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #866 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The home is part of a program named the "Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Program" which houses twelve (12) veterans. The program offers counseling, DVA services from the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center, assistance in obtaining Chapter 115 financial assistance, AA/NA meetings, and Christian Rehabilitation Substance Abuse meetings.[6][29]

The town of Vega Baja dedicated its military museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum."[30] On 2 October 2011, Otero Barreto was named Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo (Civic Citizen of Year of Vega Baja).[31] Otero Barreto was featured in the documentary film Brave Lords, a perspective on the war in Vietnam as experienced by Puerto Rican soldiers.[32]

In June 2016, Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson presented the "Distinguished Member of the 502nd Infantry Regiment" award to Otero Barreto, honoring him for his valor in the Vietnam War. Otero Barreto's name is one of those displayed on a wall of honor at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.[33][34]

Military decorations[]

Among SFC Otero Barreto's military decorations:[35]

Bronze oak leaf cluster
"V" device, brass.svgSilver oakleaf-3d.svg
"V" device, brass.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Silver oak leaf cluster
Gcl-03.png
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg
1st Row Silver Star Medal
with one bronze oak leaf cluster 		Bronze Star Medal
with "V" device and one silver oak leaf cluster
2nd Row Army Commendation Medal
with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters 		Purple Heart
with four oak leaf clusters 		Air Medal
with one silver oak leaf cluster
3rd Row Army Good Conduct Medal
with three Good conduct loops 		National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
4th Row Vietnam Service Medal
with four bronze Service stars 		Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross
1st Row Presidential Unit Citation Valorous Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation
2nd Row Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

Badges

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Department of Commerce. Office of the Census. 1940 United States Census Records. "Censo Décimosexto de los Estados Unidos: 1940 – Población: Puerto Rico. (Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940 – Population Schedule: Puerto Rico)." Municipality: Vega Baja. Barrio: Pueblo. Township: Aldea Sánchez López. Census Taker: Isabel Oliveras de Pérez. Date: 5 April 1940. Sheet: 6-B. Rows 71, 72, and 75. The National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NorthWest, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto". American Greatness. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Brave Lords
  4. ^ "Res17_02_Barreto_MOH" (PDF). LULAC. National Assembly of the 2017 LULAC National Convention. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Remarks of Major General Orlando Llenza, USAF (Ret.), Delivered to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida, 6th Annual Gala, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Major General Orlando Llenza. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Membership Notes. Archived 5 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine December 2000/January 2001. Vietnam Veterans of America. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c Affluent Times
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c Affuent Times 2
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "VOCES Oral History Center - Jorge Otero-Barreto". The University of Texas at Austin. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  10. ^ Sargento Jorge Otero Barreto: Es el soldado boricua más condecorado. Hispanidad: Nuestros Paises. Univision. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  11. ^ 14th Flying training Wing Public Affairs (20 November 2020). "A legacy of service" (PDF). Silver Wings. Vol. 44 no. 22. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  12. ^ Puerto Rican veteran shares tales of Vietnam.; The Morning Journal; January 2014; https://www.morningjournal.com/news/puerto-rican-veteran-shares-tales-of-vietnam/article_4e8a0d23-27dd-5d79-beac-d36c938cf23a.html
  13. ^ "Compassionate Rambo". The American Legion. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  14. ^ Acceptance In U.S. Role A Long March For Veterans. Mike Swift. Hartford Courant. 28 March 1996. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  15. ^ Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War. Archived 17 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine Latino Alliance. Latino Alliance Profiles in Courage! 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  16. ^ Most Decorated US Soldier in Vietnam War. Archived 17 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine Latino Alliance. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012
  17. ^ "Medal of Honor: Robert Howard 1939–2009". NBC News. 23 December 2009.
  18. ^ Paul J. Gately (7 June 2018). "Two of most decorated soldiers in history had ties to Central Texas". KWTX TV. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  19. ^ Plaster, John (1998). SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam. Berkley. p. 204. ISBN 978-0451195081.
  20. ^ Hometown hero is Spirit honoree: Capt. Joe Hooper most-decorated Vietnam War vet. Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine Huntsville Times. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  21. ^ Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Howard dies at 70. T. Rees Shapiro. The Washington Post. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  22. ^ http://2ndbde.org/halls_of_valor/SSM/1968/a_1-502_in/sfc_jorge_otero_barreto_ssm_citation_02_17_1968.pdf
  23. ^ http://2ndbde.org/halls_of_valor/SSM/1968/a_1-502_in/sfc_jorge_otero_barreto_ssm_2olc_citation_05_01_1968.pdf
  24. ^ http://2ndbde.org/halls_of_valor/BSM_V/1968/e_1-502_in/sfc_jorge_b_otero_bsm_v_go922_12_03_1968.pdf
  25. ^ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner. Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Lorain County Vietnam War Fallen Heroes Recognition Dinner. Calendar. City of Lorain, Ohio. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  26. ^ [Realizan encuentro boricua en Chicago.; El Diario-La Prensa. New York, NY 09/01/2006.]
  27. ^ [NPRC Reception, Dinner and Dance: "Un Encuentro Entre Familia".; Fiesta Boricua. La Voz del Paseo Boricua. July–August 2006. Vol 3. Number 4. Page 11. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  28. ^ Outreach/Vet Centers & Transition Houses.;]The Bay State Veteran. August 2012 Newsletter. Page 4. The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  29. ^ Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Home. Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, Inc. Springfield, Mass. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  30. ^ Municipalities / Vega Baja: Places of Interest. Archived 5 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Puerto Rico Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  31. ^ [Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo. Diario Vegabajeño. Vega Baja News, Inc. 11 October 2009.] Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  32. ^ Brave Lords: The Documentary Film: A perspective of the war in Vietnam, as experienced by Puerto Rican soldiers. Joe Felix. Brave Lords Productions. New York, New York. 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  33. ^ Howard, Henry (24 June 2016). "Reconocimiento al vegabajeño Jorge Otero". Archivo del Diario Vegabajeño de Puerto Rico Segunda Etapa de Diciembre 2012 a Octubre 2016 (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  34. ^ https://www.legion.org/honor/233054/overdue-recognition-valor
  35. ^ Documentary decoration gallery. Joe Felix. Brave Lords, The Documentary Film: A perspective of the war in Vietnam as experienced by Puerto Rican soldiers. Brave Lords Productions. New York, New York. 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.

Further reading[]

  • Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor. Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own; by : Greg Boudonck; ISBN 978-1497421837
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