Luis R. Esteves

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Luis R. Esteves
1893 – March 12, 1958
The first Hispanic to graduate from West Point
Place of birth	Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Place of death	Puerto Rico
Service/branch	United States Army Puerto Rico National Guard
Years of service	1915-1957
Rank	Major General
Unit	U.S. Army 23rd Infantry Battalion
Commands held	Puerto Rico National Guard
Battles/wars	"Pancho Villa Incident"

Major General Luis R. Esteves (1893 – March 12, 1958) was the first Hispanic to graduate from the United States Military Academy (West Point), on June 19, 1915, and the founder of the Puerto Rico National Guard.

1 Early years
2 West Point
3 Pancho Villa incident
4 Puerto Rico National Guard
5 Later years
6 Military Awards and decorations
7 See also
8 Notes
9 External links

[edit] Early years

Esteves (birth name: Luis Raul Esteves Völckers) was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. His father and mother were also natives of Aguadilla. His father, Francisco Esteves Soriano had served in the Spanish Army and His mother, Enedina Volkers Van der Dijs, was of German descent. Esteves received his primary education in Aguadilla and went to high school in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. ^[1]

At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, the Esteves family welcomed the Americans as an alternative to Spanish rule of the island. Esteves's father wanted his son to continue the family military tradition and encouraged him to consider a military career. However, his mother had other plans. She wanted her son to become an engineer and to study in the United States. The family's financial situation did not permit her to realize her dream. ^[1]

Esteves saw a news advertisement announcing examinations for the entry into the West Point Academy and applied without his parents' knowledge. He passed the exam and was accepted to West Point, thus becoming the first Puerto Rican to do so.^[2]

[edit] West Point

Cadet Luis R. Esteves 1915

Whilst at West Point, he tutored his classmate Dwight D. Eisenhower in Spanish—as a second language was required in order to graduate. In 1915, Esteves graduated first in his class and was the first graduate of that class to eventually reach the rank of general. This is particularly impressive when one considers that both Dwight D. Eisenhower (future president) and Omar Bradley where among his classmates.^[3]

[edit] Pancho Villa incident

Esteves served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 8th Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Army under the command of General Pershing, when he was sent to El Paso, Texas during the "Pancho Villa Incident". From El Paso, he was sent to the town of Polvo, Mexico where he was appointed mayor and judge by its citizens.^[1]

[edit] Puerto Rico National Guard

Esteves helped organize the 23rd Battalion which was composed of Puerto Ricans and was stationed in Panama during World War I. He was sent to Camp Las Casas in Puerto Rico and served as an instructor in the preparation of Puerto Rican Officers for the Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry (which in 1919 was renamed the 65th Infantry). He saw a need for a Puerto Rican National Guard. His request was met with approval from the government and the Puerto Rican Legislature. In 1919, the first regiment of the Puerto Rico National Guard was formed and Esteves became the first official Commandant of the Guard. In 1946, he reorganized the Puerto Rican National Guard and held the position of Adjutant General until his retirement in June 1957.^[4]

[edit] Later years

"Los Soldados Son Asi"

General Esteves's main hobby was military history. He also published two books Los Barrabases and ¡Los Soldados Son Así! (Soldiers are like that). In ¡Los Soldados Son Así! , he tells about many antidotes, jokes, and stories of the Boricua (Puerto Rican) soldiers, covering the period from when the ancient regiment from Puerto Rico was organized (which today is the 65 Infantry) up to the Second World War.^[5]

Esteves also helped establish the first two theaters in Aguadilla, his hometown, with the help of fellow community leader Juan Garcia.^[6] Major General Luis R. Esteves died on March 12, 1958 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Army named its military installation in San Juan "Gen. Luis R. Esteves" and the street in front of the Puerto Rico National Guard's headquarters was renamed "La Calle Gen. Esteves" in his honor.^[7]