Mercedes O. Cubria

Mercedes O. Cubria
Lt. Col. Mercedes O. Cubria
The first Cuban-born female officer in the U.S. Army
Nickname(s)"Tia"
Born(1903-04-15)April 15, 1903
Guantanamo, Cuba
DiedOctober 14, 1980(1980-10-14) (aged 77)
Miami, Florida
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1943-1973
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War
Cold War
AwardsLegion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal

Lieutenant Colonel Mercedes Olympia Cubria[1] (April 15, 1903 - October 14, 1980), a.k.a. "La Tia" (The Aunt), was the first Cuban-born female officer in the U.S. Army. She served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II, in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was recalled into service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1988, she was posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

  1. ^ U.S. Army Register: Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. January 1, 1966. p. 628. Retrieved November 10, 2021.