Hispanics in the US Army

Meta tag: Who do you think is the most patriotic and responsible

player in United States army? Yes! Hispanics have proved this fact

time and again.

There is an old saying ‘Attack is the best defense’. When you think of

the army, aggression, patriotism, strength and class the only thing

that comes to our minds is the US army. It is the largest and the

oldest branch of armed forces of the United States of America. This

military has engaged in countless wars including overseas operations

like Spanish-American war, Bananas war, Boxer Rebellion, World

Wars, Korean war, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi

freedom and have won almost all of them because of its bravery and

strong feeling towards the nation. You’ll be amazed to look at its

magnitude. As of July 2008, the Regular Army reported strength of

538,128 soldiers. The Army National Guard (ARNG) reported 350,000

and the United States Army Reserve (USAR) reported 189,000, putting

the approximate combined component strength total around

1,077,000 soldiers. These are impressive and rather intimidating

numbers. One of the major constituents of the US military are

Hispanics. Census 2000 measured 35.2 million total Hispanics in US

which makes up for 12.5 percent of the total population. The federal

government defines Hispanic as a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican,

Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture. Thus,

Hispanics may one out of many races.

Now let’s see how Hispanics add to US military. To keep it simple, the

Spanish speaking people in United States Military of any race are

called Hispanic. In 2000 Census, more than 35 million people identified

themselves as Hispanic. The enlisted Hispanics were 15.2% of the

total military out of which 7% were officers. In 2002 America wars,

Santos Benavides was the highest ranking Hispanic officer on the

Confederate side. Union Admiral David G. Farragut was the highest

ranking and most famous Hispanic of the Civil War. Others served in

the Louisiana Zouaves Battalion, the Spanish Legion of the European

Brigade, and the Spanish Guard of Mobile, Ala. Confederate military

formations with sizable Hispanic contingents included one independent

infantry battalion and four independent infantry companies from New

Mexico. Not only men but if you see there is a big percentage of

Hispanic women who are a heritage of US military. Angela Salinas, the

highest-ranking Hispanic woman is one of them. Diversity in army is

one of the main reasons for their victory in wars. According to

Page 2

Department of Defense, more than 65,000 immigrants are serving on

active duty in the US Armed Forces.

When we talk of glory of United States military in wars, its no different

than glory of Hispanics. They have served United States military inside

the country and on overseas ops on a number of occasions. In the

1882 war Hispanics played a major role in victory in almost every

battle. In Texas Independence (1850), civil war (1860’s), Spanish War

(1898), in World Wars, Iraq wars and all the wars that followed

Hispanics played outstanding and heroic roles. They fought like real

soldiers and have brought victory to United States. Many Hispanic

heros like Joseph H. DeCastro, David Barkley, Lucian Adams, Rudolph

B. Davilla, Marcario Garcia, John P. Baca, Alfred Rascon, Euripides

Rubio and many more were awarded the Medal of Honor for their

bravery during regiment's attack or on the battle field. Many of them

gave their lives for the country.

Today over 53,000 Hispanic Americans are fighting overseas in Iraq

war and the war against terrorism. Our nation salutes these brave

young men and women who are the true heroes of the United States

of America.