Jorge Otero Barreto

Jorge A. Otero Barreto (7 April 1937 – 14 October 2024) was a former United States Army soldier. He earned 38 military decorations during his career. He received recognition from numerous organizations and had buildings named after him.

Early years Otero Barreto was born in the town of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, the son of Eloy Otero-Bruno and Crispina Barreto-Torres. He left the Army in September 1961, but reenlisted in December 1961.

Barreto says that he joined the Wolfhounds, the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. From there he was assigned to Thailand where he served as a helicopter door-gunner.

Barreto claims that on 5 August 1964 he participated in a mission to drop the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 7th Regiment near Hanoi, North Vietnam and multiple other missions into North Vietnam. He also claims that General William Westmoreland came to his unit and asked that he serve in Westmoreland's helicopter crew which he claims he did for 6–7 missions before he asked to return to combat operations. Barreto claims that on one mission his helicopter was engaged by a North Vietnamese Vietnam People's Air Force MiG-21 which pursued them along the Mekong River until the MiG crashed.

Barreto was awarded 38 military decorations. Among his decorations are two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, four Army Commendation Medals, five Purple Hearts and five Air Medals. Otero Barreto has been called "the most decorated Puerto Rican veteran."

His second Silver Star was awarded less than three months later (1 May), and came during Operation Carentan II north of Huế. Still with Company A, although promoted to Platoon Sergeant, Otero Barreto's unit was occupying defensive positions near a village when they came under attack. According to the award citation, the attackers were part of the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 8th Battalion, 90th Regiment and were trying to break through the cordon established around the village. The attacks began at 04:15 and after three assaults failed the PAVN fell back into the village. According to the award citation, Otero Barreto led his squad into the village, neutralizing several defensive positions in the process, and positioned his squad to provide covering fire so the rest of the company could advance.

Otero Barreto later earned a Bronze Star with the Recon Platoon of Company E, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment for an action at Quảng Điền on 3 December 1968.

Post-War Honors On 22 June 2012, Otero Barreto was the keynote speaker at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dinner in Lorain, Ohio. On 1 September 2006, the Coalición Nacional Puertorriqueña (National Puerto Rican Coalition) honored Otero Barreto with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" in a Conference held at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago. The keynote speaker was U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez.

A transitional home for veterans in Springfield, Massachusetts, the SFC Jorge Otero-Barreto Homeless Veterans Transitional Home, was also named after Otero Barreto. The home is managed by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #866 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

He was post commander and service officer for many years at Vega Baja American Legion Post 14.

The town of Vega Baja dedicated its military museum to Otero Barreto and named it the "Jorge Otero Barreto Museum." On 2 October 2011, Otero Barreto was named Vegabajeño del Año en Civismo (Civic Citizen of Year of Vega Baja).

In June 2016, Lieutenant general Joseph Anderson presented the "Distinguished Member of the 502nd Infantry Regiment" award to Otero Barreto, honoring him for his valor in the Vietnam War. Otero Barreto's name is one of those displayed on a wall of honor at Fort Campbell.

In 2019 he was inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.

Military decorations Among SFC Otero Barreto's military decorations:

1st RowPresidential Unit CitationValorous Unit AwardMeritorious Unit Commendation2nd RowVietnam Presidential Unit CitationVietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit CitationVietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

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