The U.S. Navy is observing Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the accomplishments of Americans from Spanish-speaking areas. In the photo taken Oct. 6, 2016, Petty Officer 2nd Class Antarius Bryant, a member of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command’s multicultural committee, highlights the contributions of Nobel Prize in Physics recipient Luis Alvarez during the command’s 2016 Hispanic Heritage Month observance. (U.S. Navy photo by Steve Mavica)
As of June 2018, 59,000 active and Reserve Sailors of Hispanic heritage serve in the U.S. Navy contributing to the strength of the nation’s force.
According to the Navy, 60 people of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor, two were presented to members of the Navy, 13 to members of the U.S. Marine Corps and 46 to members of the U.S. Army.
Last July, the Navy commissioned USS Rafael Peralta, named in honor of Navy Cross recipient Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta who was killed in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. Subsequently, Peralta was awarded a Navy Cross, the country’s second highest military award.
Peralta, who was born in Mexico City, Mexico, immigrated to the United States with his family. He joined the Marine Corps in 2000, after receiving his Green Card.
Hispanic Heritage Month dates refer to Independence Day anniversaries of Latin American countries – Sept. 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico declared its independence Sept. 16, and Chile Sept. 18.
For more information about the history of Hispanic Americans and their numerous contributions to the Navy, click here.
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