July 6, 2026
Mr. Hernández (for himself and Ms. Velázquez) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
To authorize the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto for acts of valor as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto Medal of Honor Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto of the United States Army, born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, served the United States with extraordinary distinction, unwavering courage, and unparalleled dedication throughout his military career from 1959 to 1970.
(2)
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto distinguished himself as the first Puerto Rican graduate of the Army Air Assault School and went on to serve five consecutive voluntary tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam, reflecting exceptional courage, sacrifice, and devotion to the United States.
(3)
Throughout his five combat tours, Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto participated in more than 200 combat and aerial missions, demonstrating extraordinary courage and resilience under fire while protecting his fellow soldiers and carrying out missions with distinction as a member of the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division.
(4)
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto earned 38 military decorations in recognition of his extraordinary valor, service, and sacrifice during the Vietnam War, including two Silver Stars, five Bronze Star Medals with V
Device for valor, five Purple Hearts awarded for wounds sustained in combat, and seven Air Medals.
(5)
On May 1, 1968, during Operation Carentan II near Huế, Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto’s platoon was subjected to a fierce, multi-wave assault by an overwhelming North Vietnamese Army force. Sergeant First Class Otero Barreto single-handedly neutralized a fortified enemy machine gun emplacement and its three-man crew, then led his squad in clearing three additional enemy bunkers, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.
(6)
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto passed away on October 14, 2024, at the age of 87, leaving behind an enduring legacy of service that extended far beyond the battlefield, including decades of work as a veterans’ counselor helping fellow veterans overcome post-traumatic stress and substance abuse.
(7)
The extraordinary heroism, gallantry, and selflessness demonstrated by Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto merit the highest honor that the United States can bestow upon a member of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 3. Authorization for posthumous award of Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto for acts of valor as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War
Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to posthumously award the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 of such title, to Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto for acts of valor as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War.