Diego E. Hernández

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Diego E. Hernandez
Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez
First Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command(NORAD)
Birth nameDiego Hernandez Sanfeliz
NicknameDuke
Born(1934-03-25)March 25, 1934
San Juan, Puerto Rico
DiedJuly 7, 2017(2017-07-07) (aged 83)
Miami Lakes, Florida, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1955-1991
Rank
Vice Admiral
Commands heldUSS John F. Kennedy
USS Truckee
Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Space Command
Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
USS John F. Kennedy

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]

Hernandez died on July 7, 2017 from complications of Parkinson's disease at the age of 83.[2]

References[change | change source]

  1. United States Department of Veteran Affairs Archived August 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Adm. Diego Hernandez, a Vietnam hero tapped by the president for his expertise, dies at 83". miamiherald.