Frankie Segarra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frankie Segarra | |
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born 1960 | |
MGySgt. Frankie Segarra |
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Place of birth | New York City, New York |
Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1980-Present |
Rank | Master Gunnery Sergeant |
Unit | Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group |
Commands | Paraloft chief, Landing Support Company |
Battles/wars | Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm |
MGySgt. Frankie Segarra (born 1960 in New York City, New York) is the first Hispanic to reach the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant in his Military Occupational Specialty, 0451 air delivery specialist.
Segarra's parents moved from Puerto Rico and settled in New York City where Segarra was born and raised. After graduating from high school he joined the Marine Corps and received his basic training in Parris Island, South Carolina.
MGySgt Segarra, a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, is the first Hispanic and for that matter the first Puerto Rican Master Gunnery Sergeant acting as paraloft chief, Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group in Camp Smedley D. Butler located in Okinawa, Japan.
Master Gunnery Sergeant and the rank of Sergeant Major are the highest enlisted ranks in the Marine Corps; however, there are far fewer Master Gunnery Sergeants than Sergeants Major.
Other notable Hispanics with the pay grade of E-9 include:
- The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada, who in June 27, 2003 became the first Hispanic promoted to that rank, and
- MGySgt Abigail D. Olmos, who on August 13, 2004 became the first female Master Gunnery Sergeant in the history of the Marine Corps.
During the observance of "Hispanic Heritage Month" at Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan, MGySgt Segarra was quoted as saying "My role as the first Hispanic Marine to achieve the rank of master gunnery sergeant in my military occupational specialty shows that Hispanic Marines can achieve anything,"
[edit] Awards and decorations
- Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Kuwait Liberation Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- "Making A Difference In Our Communities And Our Nation" — Hispanic Heritage Month. Puerto Rico Herald (October 5, 2004). Archived from the original on 2004-11-28. Retrieved on October 3, 2005.
- Fred Zimmerman. "Plane problems ground Talon Vision exercise, but training goes on", Stars and Stripes, November 18, 2004. Retrieved on May 16, 2006.
- Hispanic Heritage Month. Marine Corps News (October 1, 2004). Archived from the original on 2004-11-12. Retrieved on May 16, 2006.