| William A. Navas, Jr. | |
|---|---|
Major General William A. Navas, Jr. First Puerto Rican to be named Assistant Secretary of the Navy |
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| Born | December 15, 1942 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]
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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]
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..
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]
Among Major General William A. Navas, Jr.'s awards and decorations are the following:[3]
Badges:
| 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 |
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