Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: John Ortega, Civil War recipient of Medal of Honor

John Ortega, born in Spain in 1840, immigrated to the United States and became a resident of Pennsylvania.  He joined the Navy in 1863 and was assigned to the USS Saratoga. In January 1864, Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the US Navy, order the USS Saratoga and its commander George Colvocoresses to participate in the Union blockade of Charleston, South Carolina.  

Ortega participated in several raids from landing parties to capture prisoners, and the destruction of ammunition, supplies, buildings, and bridges.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service and promoted to acting master's mate in August 1864.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Brent Jett!

Brent Jett, born October 5, 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan, is a veteran of four space shuttle missions.  He became a Naval aviator, and was deployed overseas aboard the USS Saratoga to the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Jett's first mission into space aboard Endeavour (STS-72) in January 1996 as pilot.  He spent almost 9 days in space.

His second mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-81) as pilot in January 1997 to the space station Mir, spending just over 10 days in space.

His third trip into space was aboard Endeavour (STS-97) as commander in December 2000 to the International Space Station.

His fourth and final mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-115) as commander in September 2006, the first assembly mission to the International Space Station since the Columbia disaster.

He has spent  over 41 days in space.