Otero-Barreto received multiple Silver Stars, took part in more than 200 missions during Vietnam War, and later served as an American Legion post service officer.
Army veteran Jorge Otero-Barreto – nicknamed the "Puerto Rican Rambo" — received multiple Silver Stars, volunteered for five tours in Vietnam, engaged in more than 200 combat and aerial missions, and was wounded five times. He died Oct. 14 at age 87.
Otero-Barreto was a platoon sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne, serving from 1959 to 1970.
Later, he joined The American Legion and was post commander and service officer for many years at Vega Baja American Legion Post 14, about 30 miles west of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In 2016, American Legion Magazine ran this profile of Otero-Barreto. He will be remembered as many things to many people: honorable warrior, community leader, veterans advocate.
“I want to be remembered as a good father,” he said during the interview, bowing his head and pausing. “A good grandpa. A good father. A good husband. I want them to remember me.”
- Honor & Remembrance