The Puerto Rico chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) voiced support for efforts to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Puerto Rican soldier Jorge Otero Barreto, known as the "Rambo boricua," for his valor during the Vietnam War. Rodney Ferrer, DAV's Puerto Rico department commander, said the Medal of Honor is reserved for the most extraordinary acts of valor and that history doesn't always recognize deserving service members in time. Resident Commissioner in Washington Pablo José Hernández introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Otero Barreto and authorize an exception to federal time limits on such awards.
Under federal law, recommendations must normally be submitted within three years of the act of valor and awarded within five years, with any extension requiring special congressional legislation. Ferrer noted that veterans, military leaders, historians and members of Congress have long argued Otero Barreto's actions warrant renewed review for the nation's highest military honor, citing the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Otero Barreto, born in Vega Baja, served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1970 and received 38 decorations.