Agustín Ramos Calero
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Agustín Ramos Calero
| Agustín Ramos Calero | |
|---|---|
 SFC. Agustín Ramos Calero Most decorated Hispanic in World War II |
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| Nickname | One-Man Army |
| Born | June 2, 1919 Isabela, Puerto Rico |
| Died | February 10, 1989 (aged 69) unknown |
| Place of burial | Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Sergeant First Class |
| Unit | 65th Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Silver Star Purple Heart (4 times) French Croix de Guerre |
Sergeant First Class Agustín Ramos Calero[note 1] (June 2, 1919–February 10, 1989) was awarded 22 decorations and medals from the U.S. Army for his actions during World War II, thus becoming the most decorated Hispanic soldier in the United States military during that war.[1][2]
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Early years
Calero was born and raised in the town of Isabela, Puerto Rico, which is located in the northern region of Puerto Rico. The economic situation in Puerto Rico during the 1930s was difficult as a result of the Great Depression. Due to the shortage of jobs in the island, many Puerto Ricans joined the United States Army which offered a guaranteed income.[2]
World War II
In 1941, Calero joined the Army and was assigned to Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment at Camp Las Casas in Santurce. There he received his training as a rifleman. Upon the outbreak of World War II, Calero was reassigned to the Third U.S. Infantry Division and sent to Europe. In 1945, Calero's company was in the vicinity of Colmar, France and engaged in combat against a squad of German soldiers in what is known as the Battle of Colmar Pocket. Calero attacked the squad, killing ten of them and capturing 21 shortly before being wounded himself. Following these events, he was nicknamed "One-Man Army" by his comrades.[1] For these actions he was awarded the Silver Star. Calero had been wounded a total of four times in Europe when the war ended. He was awarded a total of 22 decorations and medals for his actions, making him the Puerto Rican soldier with the most military decorations in all of the United States during that conflict.[2][3]
Korean War
Calero returned to Puerto Rico and was reassigned once more to the 65th Infantry Regiment. The 65th Infantry departed from Puerto Rico on August 26, 1950, when the United States became involved in the Korean War. They arrived in Pusan, Korea on September 23. In Korea, Calero was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the regiment. He was the personal assistant to the regimental commander, Brigadier General (then Colonel) William W. Harris.[2][4]
Later years
Calero served in the Army for a total of 21 years. He retired in 1962 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. At the end of his years, Calero suffered from terminal cancer. Sergeant First Class Agustín Ramos Calero died on February 10, 1989 at 69 years of age and was buried with full military honors in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.[5] His hometown, Isabela, honored his memory by naming an avenue after him.[6]
Military awards and decorations
Among Calero's decorations were the following:
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Badges:
Foreign unit decorations
Fourragère cord, granted by France to the Third Infantry Division- Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece), granted by Greece
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- 65th Infantry Regiment
- Puerto Ricans in World War II
Notes
- ^
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Ramos and the second or maternal family name is Calero.
References
- ^ a b Who was Agustín Ramos Calero?
- ^ a b c d "Interview: "The Borinqueneers", August 2005; Captain Charles E. Boyle; Operations and Intelligence Section of the 65th Regimental Headquarters from 1950-1951
- ^ Noemi Figueroa Soulet, The Puerto Rican Soldier, August 17, 2005. PDF format. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- ^ Agustín Ramos Calero mystery solved, 'The Puerto Rican Soldier. Retrieved from Archive.org on July 4, 2009.
- ^ Puerto Rico National Cemetery, Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
- ^ Reference to SFC Agustín Ramos Calero Ave.
External links
- Who was Agustín Ramos Calero?. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- The Puerto Rican Soldier News. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- Puerto Rico National Cemetery, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
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