As Veterans Day approaches each November, communities across the United States pause to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by the men and women who have worn the nation’s uniform. Among those who have answered the call to duty, Hispanic and Latino Americans have built a profound, enduring legacy of military service that stretches back to the earliest chapters of American history. From the battlefields of the Civil War to modern global deployments, Latino service members have consistently demonstrated unwavering valor, resilience, and a deep commitment to protecting the nation.

Organizations like Salud America! and various defense institutions take this time to shine a spotlight not only on the historical contributions of these veterans, but also on their expanding presence in the modern armed forces and the individual stories of leadership that continue to shape the U.S. military today.

Latinos in the Military: History

The record of Hispanic military participation is deeply woven into the fabric of the United States. According to historical records maintained by the U.S. Army, Latinos possess a proud and enviable tradition of service dating back to the American Civil War, where individuals fought on both sides of the conflict. Over subsequent generations, that commitment multiplied exponentially during the nation’s major twentieth-century conflicts.

Historical data from the Department of Defense indicates that approximately 400,000 Latino servicemen and women served during World War II between 1939 and 1945. That number evolved as global conflicts shifted, with roughly 80,000 Latinos participating in the Vietnam War from 1959 to 1973, and approximately 20,000 contributing to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991.

Whether their familial heritage traces back to Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, or dozens of other Spanish-speaking nations and cultures, these individuals have consistently answered the call to defend America. Their collective bravery has not gone unrecognized; the Department of Defense notes that Latinos have been awarded more than 40 Medals of Honor—the nation’s highest military decoration—for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty.

Latinos in the Military: Today

The presence of Hispanic individuals in the U.S. armed forces is not merely a reflection of historical contributions; it is a vital and growing component of the contemporary military landscape. Today, the United States is home to nearly 1.5 million Latino veterans, according to estimates from the American Latino Veterans Association.

Demographic shifts point toward a significantly larger footprint in the decades to come. Data from the Pew Research Center highlights a major demographic transition, projecting that the share of Hispanic veterans in the United States will roughly double, climbing from 9% to 15% between 2023 and 2048.

This growth mirrors a steady upward trend in active-duty recruitment and retention over recent decades. Historical figures from the Pew Research Center show that the percentage of Latinos serving on active duty stood at just 4% during the 1980s, before rising to 12% by 2015. A report from the Congressional Research Service noted a further increase to 16% by 2017.

Annual demographics reports from the Department of Defense and Military OneSource demonstrate that this trajectory has continued upward into the current decade. Active-duty Latino representation rose from 17.2% in 2020 to 17.7% in 2021, reached 18.4% in 2022, and climbed to 20.4% by 2024. As these numbers demonstrate, Hispanic service members are an increasingly integral part of all branches of the U.S. armed services.

Latinos in the Air Force: Alejandra Avila

Among the thousands of active-duty personnel representing this demographic shift is U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Alejandra Avila. A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Avila has built a distinguished military career spanning over a decade, finding ways to connect deeply with her cultural heritage through her daily responsibilities.

According to reports from Share America, Avila utilizes her fluency in Spanish while instructing courses at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, an institution dedicated to training military personnel stationed throughout Central and South America. In recognition of her leadership and administrative capabilities, she was promoted to serve as the executive officer for the academy’s commandant.

Reflecting on her journey through the ranks, Avila emphasizes the continuous opportunities for personal and professional growth that the military has afforded her, noting that there has rarely been a time in her career where she was not actively learning something new.

Latinos in the Navy: Lt. Evita Salles

In the U.S. Navy, leaders like Lt. Evita Salles have similarly carved out paths marked by dedication, mentorship, and high-level achievement. Salles, who serves as the director of reserve officer accessions for the Navy Recruiting Command, gained national recognition when she won the American Legion Auxiliary Salute to Active Duty Servicewomen Award during the organization’s annual conference in Cincinnati.

"It was a tremendous honor receiving this award and being recognized by the American Legion Auxiliary," Salles said following the announcement. "It is a reminder to me that I am on the right track with what I am doing with my life, and it motivates me to keep on striving to higher levels of excellence."

Salles’s dedication to service began early. She traces her inspiration back to her high school years, where participation in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) introduced her to the military lifestyle. Convinced that the Navy offered an environment where she could grow and thrive, she enlisted in November 2007.

Over the course of her career, Salles has crossed multiple career fields, working in Public Affairs, serving as a Naval Flight Officer, and eventually transitioning into Human Resources. She credits the Navy with shaping her character, maturity, and perspective in ways she could never have anticipated when she first signed up.

Beyond her official duties, Salles is known among her peers for an enduring commitment to looking out for her fellow service members. Friends and colleagues recall instances where her sense of duty extended far beyond the requirements of the job—such as running back during a physical readiness test to pace and motivate a struggling shipmate until she crossed the finish line.

Doreen Gallagher, a long-time friend who nominated Salles for the American Legion Auxiliary award, noted that the lieutenant embodies the organization’s core mission statement of service above self in both her personal and professional life. Through active involvement in local community service projects and her church, Salles has continually demonstrated a commitment to uplifting those around her.

Latino Military Veteran Hero Story: Tim Barrientez

For many veterans, the conclusion of active-duty service marks the beginning of a new mission aimed at community betterment. Texas native Tim Barrientez spent more than 20 years serving as a U.S. Marine, deploying to Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Japan, and other international locations in defense of national security. In 2007, he returned to his home state to serve as a recruiter, encouraging high school students to consider paths within the Marine Corps.

Upon retiring from the military, Barrientez turned his attention toward a different kind of challenge: addressing health disparities within the Latino community, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. Recognizing his potential to foster positive behavioral changes, he enrolled in an exercise science master’s program at Texas State University, focusing specifically on strength and conditioning.

During his graduate studies, Barrientez examined the intricate ways culture influences health behaviors, including dietary habits and physical activity. He now channels his expertise into community advocacy, utilizing fitness initiatives to raise awareness and vital funding for fellow veterans and students.

Latino Military Veteran Hero Story: Marcelino Serna

The historical narrative of Latino valor includes extraordinary individual acts of bravery that have resonated across generations. Private Marcelino Serna, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who chose to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War I, stands as one of the most decorated and remarkable figures in American military history.

According to historical archives provided by the U.S. Army, Serna made history as the first Latino to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1918, despite being grazed in the head by enemy fire, Serna distinguished himself by single-handedly capturing 24 German soldiers. In a moment that highlighted his discipline and humanity amidst the chaos of combat, Serna also intervened to prevent another American soldier from summarily executing the captives in the heat of the moment.

In recognition of his remarkable service and the discrimination he faced during and after his lifetime, Latino advocates have petitioned the federal government and the U.S. Army to posthumously award Serna the Medal of Honor. He has already been posthumously awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.

Latino Military Veteran Hero Story: Humbert Roque Versace

Another profound legacy of sacrifice is that of Captain Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace, an Army Special Forces officer of Puerto Rican and Italian descent who displayed extraordinary resilience as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

Just two weeks before he was scheduled to complete his tour and return home, Versace was captured by Viet Cong guerrillas on October 29, 1963. Imprisoned at the age of 27, he steadfastly resisted his captors, mounting four separate escape attempts and openly defying his interrogators by shouting at them in three different languages to confound their efforts.

According to accounts from fellow U.S. soldiers who were captured alongside him and later released, Versace remained unbroken even under extreme duress. Witnesses reported that on the night before his execution on September 26, 1965, Versace sang "God Bless America" at the top of his lungs.

Although his remains have never been recovered, his sacrifice was formally recognized decades later when he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on July 8, 2002, cementing his place in the annals of American military heroism.