Why was Ponce de leon a hero?

Answer 1

"In 1513, Ponce De Leon, the conqueror and governor of Puerto Rico, embarked on a search for a fabled fountain of youth. He never found it, but he did make the first Spanish landing on the mainland of North America. Perhaps because the land was in bloom with spring flowers, he called the land he discovered Florida."

He was the one who discovered Florida. I hope I am talking about the same Ponce de Leon you are talking about. :)