[February 06, 2015] The war in Vietnam was a conflict that most Americans remember. Today I would like to honor U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto who has been called, “the most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War” having earned 38 decorations, including three Silver Star Medals. Barreto served five combat tours from 1961 to 1970 and is a true American hero.
Jorge Otero Barreto has also been called “the Puerto Rican Rambo”.1 His bravery was legendary to his comrades from Puerto Rico and his five Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in combat are a testament to his efforts. As a small team leader he was aggressive, strong, always took the fight to the enemy, and would never leave a soldier behind.
“To kill a tiger you have to become a tiger.” – Jorge Otero Barreto
In this quote Barreto tells what it takes to survive in war and to be successful on the battlefield. But, he tells us, you have to have heart. That is what makes us better. You have to take the fight to the enemy and you can’t do it unless you have the warrior mentality. His pride in being a Puerto Rican shows in everything he does. More than anything he is proud of being a warrior, “guerrero” as he calls it in Spanish.
He has our respect and recognition for what he did to help the people of South Vietnam.
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[1] http://military.wikia.com/wiki/Jorge_Otero_Barreto