William A. Navas, Jr.

William A. Navas, Jr.

Major General William A. Navas, Jr.
First Puerto Rican to be named Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Born December 15, 1942 (1942-12-15) (age 69)
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army
Rank
Major General
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (twice)
Bronze Star
Other work Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs

Major General William A. Navas, Jr. (born December 15, 1942)[1] is the first Puerto Rican to be named an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Navas, who served in the Department of Veterans Affairs resigned in 2007.[2]

Contents

Early years

Navas was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico into a family with a long military tradition. His grandfather, Col. Antonio M. Navas served in both World Wars. His father Capt. William A. Navas, Sr. served in World War II and had a successful career in civil engineering upon his retirement from the military. Navas, Jr. received his primary and secondary education in his hometown of Mayagüez. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.[3] In the University he joined the Beta-Activo Chapter of Phi Sigma Alpha fraternity, from 1963 to 1964 he served as the chapter president.[4][5]

Military career

He joined the ROTC program in the Mayagüez campus of the University and in 1965, graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. Instead of joining his family's construction business (Navas y Moreda) upon graduation, as expected, he went on to join the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. During the next five years, Navas was stationed in West Germany and served a tour in the Vietnam War.[3]

By 1970, Navas was married with two children and stationed in Puerto Rico. He continue to serve in the Puerto Rican Army Guard, after being honorably discharged from active duty, and went to work for the family business (Navas y Moreda). Navas enrolled in the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and earned a Master's Degree in Science in Management Engineering.[3]

He quickly rose in rank and in 1980, he stopped working in the family business in order to assume greater responsibilities with the military. By 1995, he was a Major General and was appointed Director of the Army National Guard in Washington, D.C..

Assistant Secretary of the Navy

He retired from the military in 1998 and became the Chairman of the American Veteran's Committee for Puerto Rico Self-Determination, an organization which he co-founded.[6]

On June 6, 2001 Navas was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and was sworn in on July 17, 2001. He acts on matters pertaining to manpower and personnel policy within the Department of the Navy.[3] Navas, who served in the Department of Veterans Affairs resigned in 2007.[2]

Military decorations and awards

Among Major General William A. Navas, Jr.'s awards and decorations are the following:[3]

Badges:

Other recognitions

See also

Puerto Rico portal
United States Army portal

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ a b Congressional Record
  3. ^ a b c d e Navas
  4. ^ Celebrando 81 años de Hermandad. Puerto Rico: Fi Sigma Alfa. October 2009. p. 120. 
  5. ^ [2]
  6. ^ Hispanic Magazine honors March Gen. William A. Navas
  7. ^ Celebrando 81 años de Hermandad. Puerto Rico: Fi Sigma Alfa. October 2009. p. 35. 

External links

Government offices
Preceded by
Carolyn H. Becraft
Bonnie Morehouse (acting)
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) (acting)
2001 – 2008
Succeeded by
Anita K. Blair (acting)
Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. (acting)
Juan M. Garcia III