Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Salvador Felices, first Puerto Rican Major General in US Air Force

 

Salvador Enrique Felices, born August 13, 1923 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was the first Puerto Rican to reach the rank of major general in the United States Air Force.  He joined the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Puerto Rico. He entered West Point, the US Military Academy in New York, and took flying lessons.  He received his pilots wings in June 1946 and graduated as a second lieutenant.

He flew 19 combat missions during the Korean War as combat operations officer with the 344th Bombardment Squadron.  In June 1968, he was named commander of the 306th Bombardment Wing and flew 39 combat missions during the Vietnam War. 

In 1969, he became the commander of the 823rd Air Division at McCoy AFB in Florida. He was promoted to major general on April 2, 1973 and became vice commander of the Sixteenth AFB in Spain.  He retired from the Air Force in 1974. He passed away from natural causes in July 1987.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: David Moniac, first Native American graduate of US Military Academy

David Moniac, born December 1802 in present-day Alabama, was the first Native American to graduate the US Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1822.  He was related to major Creek leaders on both sides of his family, and had some Scottish ancestry as well.  

After he graduated, he resigned his commission to manage his family's property in Alabama.  During the Second Seminole War in 1863, he was recalled into service twice.  He first served with the Alabama militia to suppress an uprising of displaced Creek.

In August of that year, Moniac was commissioned as captain of the Creek Mounted Volunteer Regiment, a volunteer unit of Creek warriors led by white officers.   He was promoted to major in November. During the Battle of Wahoo Swamp, he and his unit were to find and destroy a Seminole camp.  Deep water separated the camp from Moniac's force.  He ran into the water to encourage his men to follow, but was shot dead by the Seminoles.  

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Luis Esteves, first Hispanic graduate of US Military Academy

Luis Raul Esteves, born April 30, 1893 in Puerto Rico, was the first person of Hispanic heritage to graduate from the US Military Academy in West Point and was the founder of the Puerto Rico National Guard.

He graduated from West Point in 1915, with Dwight Eisenhower and Omar Bradley.  He obtained rank of Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 23rd Infantry Regiment.

He served in the 8th Infantry Brigade under General Pershing in El Paso, Texas.  He was promoted to First Lieutenant during the onset of the Battle of Columbus in June 1916.

When Esteves was promoted to Captain, he helped organize the 23rd Battalion, composed of Puerto Ricans, stationed in Panama during World War I.  That is when he saw a need for a Puerto Rican National Guard.  His request was approved and in 1918 he was promoted to Major.  By 1919, the first regiment of the Puerto Rican National Guard was formed.

He held the position of Adjutant General until he retired in 1957.  He passed away in March 1958.