Diego E. Hernández

Diego E. Hernandez
Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez First Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command(NORAD)
Born	1930 (age 80–81) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1955-1991
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands held	USS John F. Kennedy USS Truckee Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Space Command Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal

Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez (born c.1930) is a retired United States Navy officer who was the first Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command(NORAD).

Early years

Hernandez (birth name: Diego Hernandez Sanfeliz) was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Capital of Puerto Rico where he received his primary education. Upon his high school graduation, he was able to attend Illinois Institute of Technology with a Navy ROTC scholarship. In 1955, he earned a degree in Physics and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy upon his graduation. He then underwent flight training and on August 1956, was designated a Naval Aviator.^[1]

Military career

Hernandez served in carrier-based fighter squadrons at sea in a variety of assignments. He flew two combat tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He also served as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Carrier Division 14. At sea, he was the commander of a fighter squadron, a carrier air wing, and a fleet oiler (the USS Truckee).^[1]

On June 27, 1980, Captain Diego E. Hernandez relieved outgoing Captain Myers and took command of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVA/CV-67). It was capable of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), making it an all-purpose carrier.^[2]

On September 19, 1980, Libyan Air Force planes engaged in an unprecedented number of sorties in the vicinity of USS John F. Kennedy’s Battle Group over international waters. F-14’s under E-2 control intercepted two Libyan sections, and six and eighteen sections, respectively, on September 20 and 21.^[2]

On August 29, 1981, after a change of command ceremony, Captain D. Bruce Cargill relieved Captain Hernandez as commander of the USS John F. Kennedy.

USS John F. Kennedy

In 1988, Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez as Commander, Third Fleet, coordinated RIMPAC '88, a massive naval exercise which included more than 40 ships, approximately 200 aircraft and more than 50,000 sailors, airmen and Marines from the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada. This exercise marked the first inclusion of a battleship, USS Missouri, as a component in RIMPAC.^[3]

Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command

His last assignment on active duty was as Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Space Command, dual hatted as Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command.^[1]

In 1987, Hernandez was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Puerto Rican Coalition. In 1988, he was named the distinguished graduate of his class by Illinois Institute of Technology and presented with the institutions Professional Achievement Award. Hernandez, retired from the Navy in 1991, after having served for a total of 36 years.^[4]

Later years

Diego E. Hernandez resides in Miami, Florida. He serves as management consultant to private and public companies. In 1997 he was named to the board of directors of the Taylor Energy Company LLC. He is also a member of the Veterans Administration Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. Hernandez is also a member of the Companions of the Naval Order, the oldest, exclusively naval, American society.^[5]

Awards and decorations

Among Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez' decorations and medals were the following:

•   Navy Distinguished Service Medal
•   Silver Star
•   Legion of Merit
•   Distinguished Flying Cross
•   Purple Heart
•   Meritorious Service Medal with gold star
•   Air Medal
•   Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star
•   National Defense Medal
•   Vietnam Service Medal
•   Vietnam Campaign Medal

Badges:

•   Naval Aviator Badge

See also

	Biography portal
	Puerto Rico portal
	United States Navy portal

• Hispanic Admirals in the United States Navy
• List of famous Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Rican military personnel

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} United States Department of Veteran Affairs
2. ^ ^{a b} History of USS John F. Kennedy
3. ^ USS Missouri Command History
4. ^ IIT Alumni
5. ^ Hispanic Business

External links

• IIT Alumni
• History of USS John F. Kennedy
• USS Missouri Command History
• Hispanic Business

Persondata
Name	Hernandez, Diego E.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1930
Place of birth	San Juan, Puerto Rico
Date of death
Place of death