Hispanic Americans: A history of serving our nation

Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Leroy Petry and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Mario A. Guerra each standing in front of their respective flags.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a great opportunity to pause and reflect on our shared history as Americans, and to celebrate the rich mosaic of people and cultures who, together, built and strengthened our Army and our nation.

This year’s national theme – “Hispanic Americans: A History of Serving our Nation”– aptly captures that spirit as we come together to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic Americans to our nation and Army. Through hard work, devotion to family, loyalty to community and country, Hispanic Americans pursue the American dream and contribute to the strength, protection and diversity of our nation. Their culture, talent and passion shaped our past and will certainly shape our future. Hispanic Americans also enjoy a unique and storied history in our Army – serving and fighting in every war since the nation’s birth.

Today, more than 142 thousand Hispanic Americans make up more than fourteen percent of the Army’s Total Force.

Each year during Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the soldiers, Army civilians, and family members who have contributed – and continue to contribute – to our Army. Like many commemorations, this is a month-long observance, but it’s unique because it begins in the middle of one month – September 15 – and ends in the middle of another, on October 15.

The reason for the mid-month celebration is because September 15 is the day Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their Independence Day. Mexico celebrates its independence shortly afterwards on September 16, and Chile September 18. October 12 is significant, too, as it’s celebrated across Spain and Latin America as the Day of Hispanic Heritage.

As we celebrate these rich cultures, I’ll share with you some of the contributions of Hispanic Americans throughout American history, and how they helped shape – and continue to enrich – our diverse Army. Spain officially entered the American Revolutionary War in 1779. Under the command of Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez the colonial governor of Spanish Louisiana, volunteers from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico defeated the British at Natchez and Baton Rouge, clearing the Mississippi River of British forces and putting the lower part of the river under Spanish control.

Baton Rouge remained in Spanish hands for the rest of the war, and Britain ceded both West and East Florida to Spain in 1783 under the Treaty of Paris.

During the Civil War, Hispanics lived in all parts of the country and some could trace their families back several generations before the English settlers. Many lived in the South and Southwestern states, but Northern states also had a significant population of Hispanics, many of whom supported the Union. Most came from big cities like Philadelphia, New York and Boston, which attracted immigrants from Spain, Portugal, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Many of these individuals wanted to integrate into American society but faced racial prejudice.

They thought becoming a U.S. soldier was the quickest and best way to be accepted as an American. Hispanics fought on both sides in the Civil War. They came from all socio-economic levels, from well-established wealthy farmers who owned large plantations to poor laborers trying to improve their fortunes.

Now, let’s fast-forward to the present. More than a decade ago, Congress directed a review of military records to ensure that leadership had not overlooked or rejected acts of heroism deserving of the Medal of Honor because of prejudice or discrimination. After years of review of thousands of records, the Army identified twenty-four Army veterans -- seventeen of Hispanic descent -- who should have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Evidence showed that these heroes fought for, and sometimes died for, a country that did not always regard them as equal. But that wrong was addressed in 2014. In a Medal of Honor awards ceremony that was one of the largest in history, President Obama presented our nation’s highest award for valor to three of those twenty-four men, and family members for the twenty-one receiving the award posthumously.

One of the stories of one of these heroes is about Master Sergeant Leroy Petry. That tradition of valor and selfless service continues today. In 2011, Hispanic American Master Sergeant Leroy Petry received the Medal of Honor for his service with the 75th Ranger Regiment during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

As a Weapons Squad Leader, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that contained high-value combatants. While crossing the courtyard, automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters wounded Staff Sergeant Petry and another Ranger.

Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover, only to have an enemy grenade land a few feet away. Without hesitating, Sergeant Petry moved forward, picked up the grenade, and threw it away from his eight fellow Rangers.

As he was releasing the grenade, it detonated, blowing off his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. This heroic act saved his fellow Rangers and prevented the enemy from severely wounding or killing them.

Despite losing his hand, Leroy Petry was one of several Soldiers who returned to active duty after an amputation, where he continued to serve with distinction until retiring in 2014.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Master Seargent Leroy Petry both in Washington and when we named the Camp San Luis Obispo AUSA Chapter after him. He is an amazing individual who continues to serve as an example to us all.

From the American Revolution through Iraq and Afghanistan, Hispanic Americans have fought bravely for our nation. But their contribution to our Army goes beyond their time in service.

You see, our Soldiers – both past and present -- are our connection to communities across the nation and to the Soldiers of the future. Most young people in our country do not know anyone who has served in the Army. They get their impression of Army service through movies and social media.

Consequently, this lack of connection to someone with Army service can be a factor in young people not being inclined to consider joining the Army. We need our Soldiers to go back to their communities and tell them about their service. After all, the stories of our Soldiers are the stories of our country, not limited or defined by race, religion or gender. America’s diversity has always been one of our greatest strengths, as people of different backgrounds and cultures share their unique experiences and perspective to benefit all.

Our Army is much stronger because of its diversity, and we must continue to ensure that every member of the force has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. Together, we must continue to strive for equality and treat everyone with dignity and respect, no matter where they come from, what they look like, or how they practice their faith. This teamwork and unity contributes to Army readiness, which is the cornerstone that enables the Army to accomplish a full range of military operations in defense of our nation.

It is fitting that we pause during this time to honor Hispanic Heritage Month and focus and reflect on how Hispanic Americans have served with distinction and how they have strengthened our Army team. This observance also gives us the opportunity to recognize and appreciate the contributions of each of our Hispanic American Soldiers, Army Civilians and family members, who live by our core Army values each and every day. These core Army values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage continue to serve as a guide for the force, and in our celebration of diversity, provide a sense of common unity. Thank you for your contributions to our country.

Mario A. Guerra is the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and former Mayor of Downey. He immigrated to the United States as a boy and is co-author of Embracing Change; An Immigrant Saga. He can be reached at www.marioaguerra.com