Orlando Llenza

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Orlando Llenza
born 1930

Major General Orlando Llenza
Place of birth Flag of Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
Place of death [[]]
Allegiance United States Air Force
Years of service 1951-1977
Rank Major General
Commands Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard
Battles/wars Korean War
Awards Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Major General Orlando Llenza (born 1930 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is the second Puerto Rican to reach the rank of Major General (two-star General) in the United States Air Force.

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[edit] Early years

Llenza was born to Maria Isabel Lopez and Harry B. Llenza in the capital of Puerto Rico, where he received his primary and secondary education. In 1947, he graduated from Central High School and applied for admission at Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1951 he earned his degree in Architecture and an Air Force ROTC commission. Llenza attended USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, the Air War College, and Air Command and Staff College, among others.

[edit] Korean War

During the Korean War, Llenza flew as a pilot in the 9th Air Refueling Squadron. During his career he flew the T-6 Texan, B-25 Mitchell, KB-29M tanker, KC-97F tanker, T-33 Shooting Star, F-86 D, E, F and H models, F-104 Starfighter, and the C-47, C-54, C-131 transports.

[edit] Adjutant General of P.R. National Guard

After Llenza retired from active duty he was named Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard by Governor Carlos Romero Barcelo, a position which he held from 1977 to 1983. Llenza became the mission director in Ecuador for US AID from 1983-1986. As a civilian he was a successful architect with Llenza & Llenza (the other Llenza was Hector his brother).

General Llenza is also the recipient of many awards, including the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal and the National Order of Merit-Ecuador.

The now-retired General Llenza is the Chairman of the American Veterans’ Committee for Puerto Rico Self-Determination.

[edit] Awards and decorations

Among Llenza's decorations and medals were the following:

Badges:

Foreign award National Order of Merit-Ecuador


[edit] See also

[edit] External link