REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - Puerto Ricans have been serving in U.S. wars since 1898, and Hispanic Americans account for 10.9 percent of active-duty Soldiers according to Army demographics in 2008.
Enter Staff Sgt. Jerry DeLeon - a native Puerto Rican, a Hispanic, and an American who has served 13 years in the U.S. Army, most recently returning from a one-year tour of duty in Iraq.
DeLeon, who works with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command G2 as the special security noncommissioned officer in charge and assistant special security officer, said he is proud to be both Puerto Rican and American.
"I grew up in Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory," he said. "I enjoyed the same benefits and freedom others in the United States enjoyed without some of the responsibilities since Puerto Rico is not a state."
Although he is a U.S. citizen, De Leon says that he felt a moral responsibility to respond in appreciation to the nation by joining the military. He began his professional career in the Army after a short career as a police officer in Puerto Rico.
"It was important to me to show that as a Puerto Rican, I was not here to just receive the benefits of a U.S. territory, but to make a difference, and take part in everything that makes the United States a better country," De Leon said.
De Leon's family has a history of military service and he said that they were very supportive of his decision to join the military.
"My father is from Puerto Rico and served in the Army in the 1950s. I wanted to follow that same line of honor and commitment to a nation that I saw in my father," he said. "My grandfather from my mother's side served, and I have uncles and cousins who also served in one of the branches of the Armed Forces."
It's this commitment to service that took De Leon to Baghdad, Iraq, where he was assigned to the Iraq Security Assistance Mission, Multi-National Security Transition Command. During his year-long deployment he served as the noncommissioned officer in charge for the Requirements, Reports and Request for Information cell staff as well as the administration NCOIC.
"When you are deployed, away from your normal surroundings, family, friends and church, you learn that you have more potential, strength and wisdom than you think you have," De Leon said. "You have to deal with the mission and duties where you are, and also deal with other issues that might come from home.
"It's in this type of environment, deployed, when you can really see that you are becoming all that you can be."
Upon his return, De Leon was awarded the Bronze Star for his tour of duty in Iraq.
"I didn't expect to receive the Bronze Star medal," said De Leon. "I was very surprised, but at the same time very honored that my chain of command and NCO support channel had recognized the job and accomplishment that I fulfilled during my deployment. It's an honor and experience that I will never forget," he said.
Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, presented the medal to De Leon during a ceremony commending his service to the country. Campbell also publicly thanked De Leon's wife and family for their commitment and support and emphasized the importance of the family back home during deployments.
"I am very proud of my wife and two children and the way they handled this deployment," De Leon said. "Their support made my time away easier to manage. My family really appreciated the fact that while I was gone, they could depend on the Army to provide support for any needs they may have had, medical care, family support and quality of life," he said.
De Leon said that after many years in the service, he has noticed a growing number of Hispanics making the commitment to serve in the Army.
"I believe the reason for this is the fact that we (Hispanics) are eager to honor and serve our country which has given us and our families the opportunity for a better way of life."
De Leon said that Hispanic Heritage Month is a good time to reflect on how Hispanics have excelled and been productive members of the country not only in the Armed Forces, but in sports, politics and other areas.
"A recent example of this is the appointment of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. This is a great example of a Hispanic who was able to excel and make a difference.
"I'm very proud of the fact that Hispanics have played a very important part in the development of our country," De Leon said.
"A todo los hispanos, muchas felicidades en el mes de la Hispanidad," De Leon added. "To all Hispanics, congratulations on Hispanic Heritage Month."
deborah.erhart@us.army.mil
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