Diego E. Hernández
Recipient of the Purple Heart medal
Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez (March 25, 1934 – July 7, 2017) was a United States Navy officer. He was the first Hispanic to be named Vice Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He then underwent flight training and in August 1956, was designated a Naval Aviator.[1]
Diego E. Hernandez | |
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![]() Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez First Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command(NORAD) | |
Birth name | Diego Hernandez Sanfeliz |
Nickname | Duke |
Born | San Juan, Puerto Rico | March 25, 1934
Died | July 7, 2017 Miami Lakes, Florida, U.S. | (aged 83)
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/branch | ![]() |
Years of service | 1955-1991 |
Rank | ![]() Vice Admiral |
Commands held | USS John F. Kennedy USS Truckee Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Space Command Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal |
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/USS_John_F._Kennedy_%28CV-67%29_departs_Naval_Station_Mayport_on_11_November_2003.jpg/200px-USS_John_F._Kennedy_%28CV-67%29_departs_Naval_Station_Mayport_on_11_November_2003.jpg)
Hernandez died on July 7, 2017 from complications of Parkinson's disease at the age of 83.[2]
References
change- ↑ United States Department of Veteran Affairs Archived August 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Adm. Diego Hernandez, a Vietnam hero tapped by the president for his expertise, dies at 83". miamiherald.