Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Navy

What year did the observance of Hispanic Heritage Week begin?

In which year was Hispanic Heritage Week extended to a month-long observance?

What is the relevance of September 15 in the context of Hispanic heritage?

How many active and Reserve Sailors of Hispanic heritage serve in the U.S. Navy as of December 2021?

Which ship is NOT named in honor of a Hispanic American?

What does the diversity of the Navy's force emphasize?

Who was the first Hispanic American to become a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy?

Which country declared its independence on September 16?

Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Navy

Approximately 67,000 active and reserve Hispanic Sailors serve in the U.S. Navy.
Hispanic Americans have served in the military since the Civil War.
National Hispanic Heritage Week was established in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The week was expanded to a month-long observance in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th.
The dates commemorate independence days of Latin American countries (e.g., Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile).

Digital Resources

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Infographic on Puerto Rico's Naval History
List of ships named after Hispanic Americans
1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK-3010)

Selected Biographies

Includes various individuals with naval ranks and roles. (e.g., Christina Alvarado, Everett Alvarez Jr., Jose Cabanillas, Joe R. Campa Jr., Kathlene Contres, David Glasgow Farragut, Edmund E. Garcia, Edward Hidalgo, Mery-Angela Sanabria Katson, Uriah Phillips Levy, Marion Ramirez de Arrelano, Frederick L. Riefkohl, Horacio Rivero Jr., Henry Gabriel Sanchez, Eugene Anthony Valencia)

A historic perspective of Hispanic sailors in the U.S. Navy (featuring Admiral David Farragut and Bandmaster Jose Contreras).

Additional Resources

Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute
Library of Congress Veterans History Project

Explore the role of Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Navy, highlighting their contributions from the Civil War to the present. Learn about significant figures, heritage, and the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month. Test your knowledge of this vital aspect of U.S. military history.