List of Puerto Rican military personnel

Antonio Valero de Bernabé
Ángel Rivero Méndez
Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas
Carmen Contreras-Bozak
Modesto Cartagena
Marta Carcana

Throughout history Puerto Ricans, including people of Puerto Rican descent, have gained notability as members of the military. They have served and have fought for many countries, such as Canada, Cuba, England, Mexico, Spain, the United States and Venezuela.

Puerto Ricans have fought and defended their homeland against attacks from the Caribs and pirates. They fought against the invasions of foreign countries and defeated the British, French, and Dutch in doing so.[1] They fought alongside General Bernardo de Gálvez during the American Revolutionary War in the battles of Baton Rouge, Mobile, Pensacola and St. Louis.[2][3] and in Europe against the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Siege of Saragossa.[4]

Puerto Ricans such as Augusto Rodríguez, who resided in the United States in the mid-19th century, fought in the American Civil War. They also fought against the Spanish Empire. They fought for Mexico's independence and in the Latin American wars of independence alongside Simón Bolívar.[4] In Puerto Rico they revolted against Spanish rule and fought for Puerto Rico's independence in the Grito de Lares and in the Intentona de Yauco.[5] They also fought for Cuba's independence in the Ten Years' War alongside General Máximo Gómez[6] and as members of the Cuban Liberation Army alongside José Martí.[7] At the end of the 19th century, Puerto Ricans fought alongside their Spanish counterparts in the Spanish–American War against the United States in the Battle of San Juan Hill; in Cuba as members of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Puerto Rican Provisional Battalions;[8] and in Puerto Rico when the American military forces invaded the island, in what is known as the Puerto Rican Campaign.[9] They also fought against the "Tagalos" during the Philippine Revolution.[10]

Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States upon the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Upon the outbreak of World War I, the U.S. Congress approved the Jones–Shafroth Act, which gave Puerto Ricans American citizenship with certain limitations. For example, they were, and still are, not permitted to vote for the President of the United States, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, while residing on the island. However, with American citizenship, many Puerto Ricans, with the exception of women, became eligible for the military draft.[11]

  1. ^ Historias de Puerto Rico by Paul G. Miller, (1947) pgs. 221–237
  2. ^ Bernardo De Galvez: Hero of the American Revolution by Lorenzo G. Lafarelle, p. 57 Pub. Eakin Press and Marion Koogler McNay (1992), ISBN 978-0-89015-849-4
  3. ^ Hector Díaz (March 16, 1996). "Maryland State Resolution on the Role Played by Hispanics In The Achievement of American Independence". Lasculturas.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved October 7, 2006.
  4. ^ a b General Antonio Valero de Bernabé y su aventura de libertad: De Puerto Rico a San Sebastian by Lucas G. Castillo Lara (1991) Pub. Academia Nacional de Historia, ISBN 978-980-222-616-0
  5. ^ Carlos Rovira (September 2005). "The birth of Puerto Rico's fight for independence". S&L Magazine. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2006-10-07.
  6. ^ Marisabel Brás. "The changing of the guard: Puerto Rico in 1898". Hispanic Division. Library of Congress. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
  7. ^ "Francisco Marin". Retrieved October 10, 2006.
  8. ^ Tropas de España en Puerto
  9. ^ "1898 - Adjuntas en la Guerra Hispanoamericana" (in Spanish). Retrieved October 10, 2006.
  10. ^ Miguel Hernández Torres. "Juan Alonso Zayas: Un héroe puertorriqueño desconocido" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
  11. ^ "Jones Act". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2006.