Agustin Ramos Calero
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Agustin Ramos Calero | |
|---|---|
| June 2, 1919 – February 10, 1989 (aged 69) | |
 Sgt. Agustin Ramos Calero |
|
| Nickname | One-Man Army |
| Place of birth |  Isabela, Puerto Rico |
| Place of death | unknown |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank |  Sergeant First Class |
| Unit | 65th Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Silver Star Purple Heart (4 times) French Croix de Guerre |
Sergeant First Class Agustin Ramos Calero (June 2, 1919-February 10, 1989) was awarded 22 decorations and medals from the U.S. Army for his actions during World War II, thus becoming the most decorated Puerto Rican soldier in the United States military during that war.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Early years
Calero was born and raised in the town of Isabela, Puerto Rico, which is located in the northern region of Puerto Rico. The economic situation in Puerto Rico during the 1930s was difficult as a result of the Great Depression. Due to the shortage of jobs in the island, many Puerto Ricans joined the United States Army which offered a guaranteed income.
[edit] World War II
In 1941, Calero joined the Army and was assigned to Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment at Camp Las Casas in Santurce. There he received his training as a rifleman. Upon the outbreak of World War II, Calero was reassigned to the Third U.S. Infantry Division and sent to Europe. In 1945, Calero's company was in the vicinity of Colmar, France and engaged in combat against a squad of German soldiers in what is known as the Battle of Colmar Pocket. Calero attacked the squad, killing ten of them and capturing 21 shortly before being wounded himself. Following these events, he was nicknamed "One-Man Army" by his comrades. For these actions he was awarded the Silver Star. Calero had been wounded a total of four times in Europe when the war ended. He was awarded a total of 22 decorations and medals for his actions, making him the Puerto Rican soldier with the most military decorations in all of the United States during that conflict.[2]
[edit] Korean War
Calero returned to Puerto Rico and was reassigned once more to the 65th Infantry Regiment. The 65th Infantry departed from Puerto Rico on August 26, 1950, when the United States became involved in the Korean War. They arrived in Pusan, Korea on September 23. In Korea, Calero was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the regiment. He was the personal assistant to the regimental commander, Brigadier General (then Colonel) William W. Harris.[3]
[edit] Later years
Calero served in the Army for a total of 21 years. He retired in 1962 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. At the end of his years, Calero suffered from terminal cancer. Sergeant First Class Agustín Ramos Calero died on February 10, 1989 at 69 years of age and was buried with full military honors in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. His hometown, Isabela, has honored his memory by naming an avenue after him.
[edit] Military awards and decorations
Among Calero's decorations were the following:
Silver Star
Purple Heart (4 times)
French Croix de Guerre
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 stars
American Campaign Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Badges:
Foreign unit decorations
Fourragère cord, granted by France to the Third Infantry Division- The Greek Gold Medal of Bravery, granted by Greece to the 65th Infantry (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece)
[edit] Notes
- ^ Who was Agustín Ramos Calero?, The Puerto Rican Soldier, August 17, 2005. PDF format. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- ^ Noemi Figueroa Soulet, The Puerto Rican Soldier, August 17, 2005. PDF format. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- ^ Agustin Ramos Calero mystery solved, The Puerto Rican Soldier. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Who was Agustín Ramos Calero?. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- The Puerto Rican Soldier News. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- Puerto Rico National Cemetery, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
