Chief Engineman Justo Gonzalez • US Coast Guard

Chief Engineman Justo Gonzalez had a distinguished career in both the U.S. Lighthouse Service and the Coast Guard that stretched over 30 years. He was born in 1906 and joined the Lighthouse Service on the tender Columbine in March 1926. After leaving the service for a year, he rejoined the Lighthouse Service. On 29 June 1937 while off duty in San Juan, Gonzalez observed three men in the water holding on to a capsized boat just off the coast near El Morro Castle. Ignoring the obvious risks he entered the water and was able to save one of the men (the other two were rescued by others).

The U.S. Lighthouse Service commended him for his meritorious and selfless actions to save others. He entered the Coast Guard when the Lighthouse Service merged with the Coast Guard in 1939. He survived the sinking of his tender Acacia by a German U-boat in March, 1942. He became the first Hispanic-American in the Coast Guard to be promoted to chief petty officer when he was promoted to Chief Machinist's Mate (acting) on 16 February 1944. The rank was made permanent on 16 October 1948. He served as Officer in Charge to the Mona Island Light Station and retired after 30 years of honorable service on 1 April 1957.

Resource:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/Hispanic_Americans.html