Hispanic reservist from March honored as hero

  • Published
  • By Amy Abbott
  • 452 AMW/PA
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Senior Master Sgt. Frank De Jauregui has come a long way in life, yet remains grounded in his values and heritage. 

He recently was named "hero of the week" for local radio station ROCK 105.3 and on Sunday, Mexican Independence Day, Sergeant De Jauregui had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the San Diego Padres game. 

"I do not feel like I am a hero by any means but I am very proud to be associated with my brothers and sisters in arms who I consider our heroes, especially the younger Airmen today who do not face a draft but who volunteer to put themselves in harm's way," said Sergeant De Jauregui. "I have a lot of admiration for our traditional guardsmen and reservists who have civilian lives and yet are willing to sacrifice that for their career in the military." 

An Air Reserve Technician (ART) at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., he said his family has always been very passionate and loyal. According to Sergeant De Jauregui, the strong sense of allegiance stems from being immigrants to this country. 

"Patriotically, I have two mothers - the mother that bore me and the mother who adopted me," he said, repeating a quote from his father. "My father instilled in me that we are immigrants and they did not have to allow us into this nation." 

While growing up Sergeant De Jauregui said he always knew he wanted to join the military, perceiving it as a very elite career field. In 1975, after following the advice of a mentor, he chose not to join the Navy and enlisted in the Air Force wanting to fly. He started as an aircraft mechanic but then retrained to a boom operator to spend more time in the sky. He was proud to be part of something he admired, but, he said there were still many challenges he faced. 

"When I came in (to the military) we had a lot of civil and social unrest in our country. We were still reeling from Vietnam so my experience as a young Airman was a lot of racial issues. People who were colored had directly to deal with people who were white and I mean all minorities; African-American, Asian, Hispanic, women." 

Thirty-one-years later, Sergeant De Jauregui said he has witnessed many changes and growth within the military. 

"I think the military is a reflection of our current society, however, the military historically has always been proactive in comparison to the civilian world and that's one of the things I'm grateful for." 

He credits organizations such as the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC), that he is a part of, and the inspector general to act as our own internal watchdogs. He feels the success of the U.S. Air Force is a direct result of the way these organizations handle issues. 

"The military should be a microcosm of the larger society," added Col. Frank Gruendner, Sergeant De Jauregui's supervisor at 4th Air Force. "By not diversifying you limit the overall achievements of the organization -- we each bring something different to the job. 

Currently, the "hero of the week" is working at 4th Air Force as the superintendent of in-flight refueling operations and maintains his flying time with the 336th Air Refueling Squadron. He has been stationed at March off-and-on since 1976. 

"He's probably one of the most dedicated Airmen I know," said Colonel Gruendner. (With him) it's never been a question of what's in it for me; always service before self." 

Last week, Sergeant De Jauregui's younger brother, Carlos, submitted a letter to the radio station to nominate him for their "hero of the week" program. In the letter, he noted his brother's many military deployments supporting missions such as the Iranian hostage crisis in the early '80s, the emergency evacuation in Incirlik, Turkey and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Sergeant De Jauregui's next deployment will be in support of the current conflict, something he volunteered for knowing it will take him away from his wife and three children over the holidays. 

"I bleed red, white and blue just like my brother," said Mr. De Jauregui. "I think anyone who does service for their country in the military is generally a hero." 

Mr. Jauregui said he always makes a point to say thank you to everyone who serves in the military, but after 31 years of service he realized he had never thanked his brother. This was his way to do that. 

Considering the fact that Sunday was Mexican Independence Day, Mr. De Jauregui made the suggestion to the radio station that his brother throw out the first ball at the Padres game. The nomination was made without Sergeant De Jauregui knowing. After he was officially selected, his brother called him at work to give him the news. With the support of his command, Sergeant Jauregui had his dress blues pressed and ready and was headed to Petco Park in San Diego with his family. 

"Although this is an individual honor, it reflects well on all of the members of 4th Air Force," said Colonel Gruendner. "We all bring certain attributes to the job that is a direct result of your upbringing and heritage -- it makes us a better organization." 

Since his retirement date in 2011 is approaching, Sergeant Jauregui has been making plans for his future. He wants to be involved in philanthropic work particularly within the Latin American communities. Already an active member of the League of the United Latin American Citizens, Sergeant De Jauregui is very adamant about exposing young Latinos to the opportunities that they may not realize they have. 

He said he simply enjoys "working with Hispanic or Latino communities; fundraising, helping whatever city projects there may be -- it's just improving the situation and the opportunities. I need to have that feeling of contribution." 

After several decades in the country that "adopted" him, Sergeant De Jauregui has never faltered from his ideological views about loyalty and paying back. Whether it is through his unwavering service to country or charitable assistance to community, it is that simple need to give back that keeps driving his actions and, this week, has garnered him the title of a hero.