MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- September marks National Hispanic Heritage Month, in which we recognize the many Americans of Hispanic descent who have made outstanding contributions to our nation.
This month highlights the major achievements and accomplishments of many prominent Hispanic people, living and deceased.
Hispanic is an ethnic term to define any person who speaks Spanish and of Spanish or Latin descent. In the 2000 Census, more than 35 million people referred to themselves as Hispanic or Latino.
Currently, the estimated amount of people categorized as Hispanic number approximately 45.5 million, making them the largest minority in the country. In 2007, 12.66 percent of Hispanics made up the enlisted ranks, and 6.09 percent were officers in the Marine Corps.
“I’m very proud of my Hispanic heritage,” said Capt. Evan M. Lopez, the current operations and planning officer at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. “But I’m even more proud of serving my country as a United States Marine.”
Hispanic Americans have a long tradition of service in the armed forces. These proud patriots have fought in every war since the founding of our nation, and many have earned the Medal of Honor for their courage. Hispanic service men and women have shown their love for the United States by answering the call to serve.
Some of the Marines who have impacted the Marine Corps have been of Hispanic descent. Pvt. France Silva was the first Marine of Hispanic descent to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion from 1899-1901.
Another notable Marine is Lt. Gen. Pedro Augusto del Valle (1893-1978). He was the first Hispanic to reach the rank of lieutenant general in the Marine Corps. Lt. Gen. del Valle participated in many battles ranging from the Banana Wars in Nicaragua to the seizure of Guadalcanal, and later was the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division during World War II.
Hispanics are pioneering areas within the Marine Corps. Brig. Gen. Angie Salinas, commanding general of MCRD San Diego and Western Recruiting Region, is the first woman of Hispanic descent to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the Marine Corps.
She began her career as an enlisted Marine in May 1974 and through the Enlisted Commissioning Program, she received her commission as a second lieutenant in December 1977.
Throughout her career, Brig. Gen. Salinas was the first woman in the Marine Corps to command a recruiting station and later the first woman to command a recruiting district (12th Marine Corps District). She was also the first woman to be in command of MCRD San Diego and WRR.
Throughout the history of this country, Hispanics have contributed their efforts to the development and safety of this country both at home and in the battlefields abroad.