Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Horacio
Rivero
, Jr.
May 16, 1910

–

September 24, 2000

Born:

Ponce

, 

Puerto Rico

Home:

Ponce

, 

Puerto Rico

Buried: 

San Diego

, 

California

Cemetery:

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Horacio Rivero graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1931. From July 1964 to January 1968, he served as the 11th Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and was the first Puerto Rican 4-star Admiral. He retired as a U.S. Navy Admiral, and was subsequently appointed U.S. Ambassador to Spain from 1972 to 1974.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    October 1962 – September 1963
    All Hands (June 1965)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Admiral Horacio Rivero, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, from October 1962 to September 1963. During the Cuban crisis of October 1962, Admiral [then Vice Admiral] Rivero assured the readiness of the Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Force to react swiftly and decisively at any time and place required. His strategic positioning of forces in the immediate areas of tension, while maintaining maximum readiness posture in other important areas of the Atlantic Command, contributed materially to the effectiveness of the powerful deterrent force which, because of its very existence, was never used.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. Pittsburgh (CA-72)

    Action Date:

    June 5, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 349 (April 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Horacio Rivero, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. PITTSBURGH (CA-72), during the Nansei Shoto operations on 5 June 1945.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    October 1963 – July 1964
    All Hands (January 1965)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Horacio Rivero, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Director, Navy Program Planning, from October 1963 to July 1964. Admiral Rivero was instrumental in developing an effective integrated planning system which provided a coordinated study effort in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations that was highly responsive to Department of Defense requirements. In addition he developed the organizational procedures for coordinating the total study effort of the Department of the Navy. Admiral Rivero visualized the missions, tasks, and requirements of the Navy of the future in such terms that these vital factors of Navy planning resulted in the best possible determination of supporting force structures. He instituted a revised procedure and format for the Department of the Navy program objectives which facilitated the formulation, precise costing, and organization of proposed new programs into program change proposals.