Horacio Rivero, Jr.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horacio_Rivero_Jr%2E

Horacio Rivero Jr. (May 16, 1910 – September 24, 2000), was the first Puerto Rican and Hispanic four-star admiral, and the second Hispanic to hold that rank in the modern United States Navy, after the American Civil War Admiral David Glasgow Farragut (1801–1870). After retiring from the Navy, Rivero served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain (1972–1974), and was also the first Hispanic to hold that position.

Source: Navylog navymemorial.org. September 2022
ranch
USN 6/1931 - 6/1972
Born
05/16/1910
PONCE, PUERTO RICO
EDIT THIS LOG PRINT LOG PRINT MEMORIES BLUE SCREEN
SIGNIFICANT DUTY STATIONS
CDR, ALLIED FORCES SOUTHERN EUROPE
VICE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
STAFF CIC, WESTERN ATLANTIC
CDR, AMPHIBIOUS FORCE, ATLANTIC FLEET
USS PITTSBURGH CA-72
SIGNIFICANT AWARDS
NAVY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (3)
LEGION OF MERIT MEDAL
BRONZE STAR MEDAL W/COMBAT 'V'
AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (2)
KOREAN SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
UN KOREAN SERVICE MEDAL
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL
SERVICE MEMORIES
FIRST PUERTO RICAN FOUR-STAR ADMIRAL

Horacio Rivero Jr. was known for his keen intellect, leadership and contributions in developing nuclear weapons. Born in Puerto Rico, he graduated third among the 441 members of the Naval Academy class of 1931. Recognizing his intellect, the Navy sent Rivero to graduate school, first to the Naval Postgraduate School and then to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a master of science degree in electrical engineering. Rivera spent most of World War II on board cruisers, serving in many of the most significant battles in the Pacific. As a pioneer in nuclear weapons development after the war, Rivero became a charter member in the Navy Department’s Atomic Operations Division. This assignment put him on the cutting edge of the era’s highest technology. In 1946 he participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests on Bikini Atoll in the Pacific and two years later he participated in similar tests in Eniwetok. In March 1949 he became one of the original members of the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, Office of the Secretary of Defense. On 3 October 1955 the Navy promoted him to Rear Admiral and assigned him duty working on hydrogen bombs.

During the 1950s and 1960s Rivero began his climb to the Navy’s top echelons, serving in a variety of staff and command positions. Highlights include a tour with the Atlantic Fleet staff and a stint as Director of Navy Program Planning in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he laid the groundwork for the building of the Nimitz Class aircraft carriers. Promoted to full Admiral in 1964, he served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and later became Commander in Chief of Allied Forces, Southern Europe. Had the Cold War turned hot and war broken out, Admiral Rivers would have commanded a million service men and women from five countries. Rivero remained in command of NATO’s Southern Forces until his retirement on 1 June 1972 after 41 years of service.

Upon retirement ADM Rivero served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain from 1972 to 1974 and was the first Hispanic to hold that position. He died on September 24, 2000, and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)