Association of Naval Services Officers

A 501c3 nonprofit supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all ranks in the U.S. Sea Services!

News & Press

41st Anniversary of the Sinking of the USCG Cutter Blackthorn

USCGC Blackthorn
Seaman Apprentice William Flores

Today marks the 41st anniversary of the sinking of the 180′ buoy tender, US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) BLACKTHORN. On January 28, 1980, USCGC BLACKTHORN sank in Tampa Bay and 23 Coast Guard personnel lost their lives after colliding with the the 600′ tanker S.S. CAPRICORN. One of the 23 crew members lost that day was 19-year-old Seaman Apprentice (SA) William Ray Flores, the namesake of our Tampa Chapter. SA Flores paid the ultimate price after locating the life jacket locker, ensuring all survivors in the water received a life jacket, and staying with the sinking ship determined to save the lives of his shipmates trapped in the sinking hull. 27 crew members survived. Today we remember and honor his sacrifice and all the lives lost during this terrible accident.

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Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance: The Story of Rudy Martinez, The First Latino Killed in World War II

Rudolph “Rudy” M. Martinez, Electrician’s Mate Third Class, United States Navy

On this 79th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember and pay tribute to the more than 2,400 American service members who lost their lives during the attack. One of the first lives lost during the attack was that of 21 year old Rudolph Machado Martinez, a Mexican-American U.S. Navy sailor stationed on the battleship USS Utah. His story is captured in the Pearl Harbor National Memorial video below. We are eternally grateful to all those who lost their lives on that fateful day, December 7th, 1941.

USS Utah Memorial Page

Opinion on Hispanic Americans in the Senior Ranks of the Armed Forces

By William D. Rodriguez
Rear Admiral, United States Navy, Retired
Board Member, Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance (HVLA)
Past President, Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO)

The continuing focus on Diversity and Inclusion has become more of a “Race issue” and a “Gender issue” than an “Ethnicity issue”. The Hispanic American population has grown to be the largest minority group in this country, and yet, comparatively speaking, our Armed Forces still do not reflect “the face of the nation” with regard to the Hispanic American population. This is particularly true in the Flag and General Officer, senior officer and senior enlisted ranks. This is NOT Diversity and Inclusion! As you will remember, forty-five years ago the emphasis to increase the number of African Americans in key colleges, universities and other educational and business institutions was through Affirmative Action and Quota Control. This program which was deemed as successful had its flaws. It had very little, if any, regard for any ethnic community, and there was little concern for meritocracy. Of note, however, the program eventually produced a significant number of African American Flag and General Officers. These senior officers then served as examples and potential mentors to those who came behind them. Similar to what was done for the African Americans over forty-five years ago, there should be a renewed emphasis and focus on the ethnic communities, specifically, the Hispanic American Community. Furthermore, there should be an in-depth analysis of the demographics of Hispanic Americans in the Armed Forces and specifically in its senior ranks, and the DoD and the Services should take an approach towards tracking and mentoring of Hispanic Americans in order to advocate for them, ensure they are fully qualified for promotion into the senior ranks of the Armed Forces, and are given a fair and objective opportunity for promotion without prejudice or discrimination.

Full version of the Op-Ed can be found here.

Happy Veterans Day 2020!

On Veterans Day we honor all of those who have served our country in war or peace and thank all veterans for their sacrifices.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, the day when the fighting stopped during World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. A Congressional Act in 1938 made the 11th of November a legal holiday. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” in 1954, and Nov. 11 became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars. (Source)

The videos below, although a few years old, provide the history and some statistics. We cannot forget our brothers and sisters of the newly formed US Space Force, most of which transferred from the US Air Force.

We wish all veterans and their families a safe and happy Veterans Day!

Visit the VA page for more history.

Happy 245th Marine Corps Birthday

On behalf of the entire ANSO membership, we wish a happy 245th birthday to all our Marine Corps brothers and sisters.

In the video below, Gen. David H. Berger reminds us how the Corps’ legacy lives on in every Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Staff Sgt. Erik Estrada)

Devil dogs and leathernecks are two of the names used to describe these fierce defenders of liberty.

World War I, At the Battle of Belleau Wood, Sergeant Daniel Joseph Daly, USMC, led a legendary charge against the German line, rallied his Marines by yelling “Come On, You Sons of Bitches, Do You Want to Live Forever?”
Unless you are on the wrong side of the charge, you have got to love that!

https://www.military.com/marine-corps-birthday/marine-corps-history-early-years.html
https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/edward-gomez

Semper Fidelis!

Department of the Navy Launches New Naval STEM Education and Outreach Program – Naval Horizons

WASHINGTON (Oct. 28, 2020) The U.S. Naval STEM team will launch the Naval Horizons challenge, a new educational video series designed to introduce viewers to cutting-edge topics impacting the Navy and Marine Corps. (U.S. Navy graphic)

On Tuesday, October 27, the Department of the Navy launched Naval Horizons, a new Naval Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education and outreach program. It is a virtual effort designed to inspire college students by raising awareness of the real-world science and technology challenges of today. The program will introduce students to cutting-edge topics impacting the Navy and Marine Corps through online videos covering nearly 20 research areas. Students learn about naval topics by watching the videos—and submitting a report on the state of the art and a futurist vision of the Navy and Marine Corps in 2040. The first 3,000 submissions to meet the evaluation criteria will be awarded a $200 stipend.

To be eligible for the Naval Horizons program applicants must be:

  • Community College students
  • Undergraduate students
  • Graduate students
  • Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Majors
  • Must be enrolled at an accredited college/university
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • You must be at least 18 to apply to this program

Those interested in participating in Naval Horizons should visit https://navalhorizons.asee.org/.

Department of the Navy press release

Happy 245th Navy Birthday!

201006-N-BB269-1003 WASHINGTON (Oct. 6, 2020) A digital illustration created for the 245th U.S. Navy Birthday. The graphic features a guided-missile destroyer representing USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) waving a battle ensign breaking through a silhouette of USS Constitution formed by clouds. (U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)

We want to wish a happy 245th birthday to all our Navy members!

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 to October 15, 2020

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed every year from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

Below are links to different websites that contain the history, current facts, and details for events taking place throughout the month. Please support these events and celebrate our National Hispanic Heritage.

Also checkout our events calendar and our social media where we share different networking and professional development opportunities.

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Adelante con ANSO!!

Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Coast Guard

The history of  Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Coast Guard may be traced as far back as early 1800s.  Hispanic Americans performed duties at light house stations as keepers and assistant keepers, such as Keeper José A. Ramirez, who was the Head Keeper of the Windward Point Light Station in Cuba, prior to World War II.  Others served on board Revenue Service cutters and as surfmen at Life-Saving Service stations along the coast.  Many gave their lives in the performance of their duties and others were decorated for their heroism.

In 1914, Hispanics sailed on the Revenue Cutter Algonquin.  The cutter was stationed in the Caribbean and assisted the city of San Juan twice.  In 1920, after the formation of the Coast Guard, two Hispanic crewman of the cutter Acushnet, Mess Attendant First Class Arthur J. Flores and SN John E. Gomez, volunteered to save survivors of the schooner Isaiah K. Stetsen, which sank off the coast of Massachusetts during a storm.  The Treasury Department awarded both of them the Silver Lifesaving Medal for their heroism.

Many served with distinction during World War II as well.  The Sanjuan family, including the father, Vivencio, and two of his sons served in the Coast Guard.  Vivencio Sanjuan served on board the Coast Guard-manned attack transport USS Samuel Chase during the invasions of North Africa and then Salerno, Italy.  His son, Pedro, was stationed on board the attack transport USS Bayfield and saw service during the Normandy invasion and the invasion of Southern France as well.  Another son, Ramon, served on board four Coast Guard cutters during his career and retired from the service in 1969.  Another son, William, served in the Coast Guard in the Vietnam conflict.  He was awarded the Purple Heart for a combat injury received while under a Viet Cong mortar attack.

Periodically we will post and recognize prominent Hispanics who were trailblazers.

Article can be found at https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/Minorities/Hispanic-Americans/.

Happy 230th Anniversary U.S. Coast Guard!

To the men and women of the U. S. Coast Guard… ANSO thanks you for your dedication and service to our Nation.  Semper Paratus! 

https://www.facebook.com/UScoastguard/posts/10158613478942679