Hispanic Americans made remarkable strides in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during this decade. In 1981, the first Hispanic American females graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Important officers during this time were Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez, USN, and Rear Admiral Benjamin F. Montoya, CEC, USN, who were promoting the recruitment of Hispanic Americans in the country and presenting themselves as an example to American citizens.

Rising through the ranks during this period was Commander Marc Y.E. Pelaez, USN, who would later attain the rank of Rear Admiral and serve as Chief of Naval Research during the late1990s.

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Photo #: NH 106945-KN (Color) Midshipman Carmel Gilliland, USN Halftone reproduction photograph from the official publication, "The Lucky Bag", 1981. Midshipman Gilliland was among the first Hispanic American women to graduate from the Naval Academy in 1981. To her honor, she also graduated as the Hispanic American female with the highest class rank. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 102KB; 655 x 925
Photo #: NH 106946 Midshipman Ina M. Gomez, USN Midshipman Gomez jubliantly rejoices graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. She was among the first Hispanic American women to graduate from the institution in 1981. Gomez retired as a Commander. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 106KB; 610 x 925
Photo #: NH 106947 Captain Francisco A. Velazquez-Suarez, USN Captain Velaquez-Suarez graduated from the Naval Academy in 1953. Photographed in the early 1980s. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 58KB; 700 x 925
Photo #: DN-SC-85-01459 (Color) Commodore Diego E. Hernandez, USN Photographed while serving as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Caribbean, circa 1984. He would later attain the rank of Vice Admiral. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 100KB; 710 x 925
Photo #: DN-SC-84-09987 (Color) Commander Marc Y. E. Pelaez, USN Photographed in 1984. Pelaez would later attained the rank of Rear Admiral and serve as Chief of Naval Research during the later period of the 1990s. Photographer: E. J. Dail Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 76KB; 720 x 925
Photo #: DN-ST-88-10054 (Color) Rear Admiral Benjamin F. Montoya, CEC, USN Rear Admiral Montoya, while serving as Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, talks with the leading students from Garfield High School about career motivation during a luncheon at a local restaurant. Montoya presented his own career and the career of Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez, then Commander Third Fleet, as examples of how Hispanics have risen in the ranks of the U.S. Navy. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph. Online Image: 80KB; 605 x 925
Photo #: NH 106950-KN (Color) Lance Corporal Graciela de la Pena, USMC Lance Corporal de la Pena served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a military police K-9 handler. She is pictured with her military dog at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 1989. Courtesy of Women in the Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 89KB; 650 x 925
Photo #: NH 106951-KN (Color) Lieutenant Commander Margarita de Quevedo, USN Lieutenant Commander Margarita (Garcia) de Quevedo is pictured after receving the Navy Commendation Medal. She served on active duty from December 1980 to December 1995. Courtesy of Women in the Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 95KB; 650 x 925

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To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.