Frankie Segarra
| Frankie Segarra | |
|---|---|
|
MGySgt. Frankie Segarra | |
| Born |
1960 (age 55–56) New York City, NY |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1980-present |
| Rank |
 Master Gunnery Sergeant |
| Unit | Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group |
| Commands held | Paraloft chief, Landing Support Company |
| Battles/wars |
Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm |
Master Gunnery Sergeant Frankie Segarra (born 1960), is the first Hispanic to reach the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant in his Military Occupational Specialty, 0451 air delivery specialist.
Early years
Segarra's parents moved from Puerto Rico and settled in New York City where Segarra was born and raised. After graduating from high school he joined the Marine Corps and received his basic training in Parris Island, South Carolina.[1]
Master Gunnery Sergeant
MGySgt Segarra, a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, is the first Hispanic and for that matter the first Puerto Rican Master Gunnery Sergeant acting as paraloft chief, Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group in Camp Smedley D. Butler located in Okinawa, Japan.[2]
Master Gunnery Sergeant and the rank of Sergeant Major are the highest enlisted ranks in the Marine Corps; however, there are far fewer Master Gunnery Sergeants than Sergeants Major.
Other notable Hispanics with the pay grade of E-9 include:
- The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada, who on June 27, 2003 became the first Hispanic promoted to that rank, and
- MGySgt Abigail D. Olmos, who on August 13, 2004 became the first female Master Gunnery Sergeant in the history of the Marine Corps.
- Sergeant Major Jose Luis Santiago, who has the distinction of being the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines first Hispanic Sergeant Major and its first Sergeant Major since its reactivation on July 13, 2007.
Hispanic Heritage Month
During the observance of "Hispanic Heritage Month" at Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan, MGySgt Segarra was quoted as saying "My role as the first Hispanic Marine to achieve the rank of master gunnery sergeant in my military occupational specialty shows that Hispanic Marines can achieve anything".[1]
Awards and decorations
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps
References
- 1 2 "Hispanic Heritage Month". Marine Corps News. October 1, 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-11-12. Retrieved 2006-05-16.
- ↑ ""Making A Difference In Our Communities And Our Nation" — Hispanic Heritage Month". Puerto Rico Herald. October 5, 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-11-28. Retrieved 2005-10-03.
External links
- ""Making A Difference In Our Communities And Our Nation" — Hispanic Heritage Month". Puerto Rico Herald. October 5, 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-11-28. Retrieved 2005-10-03.
- Fred Zimmerman (November 18, 2004). "Plane problems ground Talon Vision exercise, but training goes on". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2006-05-16.
- "Hispanic Heritage Month". Marine Corps News. October 1, 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-11-12. Retrieved 2006-05-16.