| Jorge Otero Barreto | |
|---|---|
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto The most decorated American soldier of the Vietnam War |
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| Born | (c. 1938) Vega Baja, Puerto Rico |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Silver Star (3) Bronze Star (5) Purple Heart (5) Air Medal (5) |
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto[note 1] (Ret.) a.k.a. "The Puerto Rican Rambo" (born c. 1938), was a member of the United States Army who was the most decorated soldier in the Vietnam War
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Otero Barreto was born in the town of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. He studied biology for three years, until 1959 when he joined the U.S. Army. After his basic training he was sent to the Army's Air Assault School from which he graduated in 1960.[1]
Otero Barreto joined the U.S. Army and from 1961 to 1970 served five tours in Southeast Asia, starting as an advisor who helped train Vietnamese troops.[2] Otero-Barreto participated in 200 combat missions[3] and was awarded 38 military decorations, making him the most decorated person in the United States military of the Vietnam War. Among his many decorations are 3 Silver Stars, 5 Bronze Stars with Valor, 5 Purple Hearts and 5 Air Medals (one each for every 5th mission which involved a helicopter).[3][4]
Otero Barreto was the keynote speaker at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner in Lorain, Ohio.[5] In 2006, the Coalición Nacional Puertoriqueña (National Puerto Rican Collation) honored Otero Barreto in a Conference held at the Hotel Hilton of Chicago with a "Lifetime Achievement Award".[6]
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #866 in Springfield, Massachusetts was named the "Jorge Otero Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Program" in his honor. The Program houses twelve (12) veterans offering counseling, DVA services from the Western Massachuetts Bi-Lingual Veterans Outreach Center, assistance in obtaining Chapter 115 financial assistance, AA/NA meetings and Christian Rehabilitation Substance Abuse meetings.[7]
The town of Vega Baja dedicated their Military Museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum".[8]
Among SFC Otero Barreto's military decorations:
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