Orlando Llenza

Major General Orlando Llenza (born July 1, 1930) is the second Puerto Rican to reach the rank of Major General (two-star General) in the United States Air Force. Llenza served as commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard (PRANG).

Orlando Llenza
Born (1930-07-01) July 1, 1930
Santurce, Puerto Rico
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch Air Force Reserve
1946-1951
 United States Air Force
1951-1977
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard
Years of service1977-1983
Rank
Major General
Unit9th Air Refueling Squadron
Commands heldAdjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard
Battles/warsKorean War
AwardsAir Force Distinguished Service Medal

Early years

Llenza was born to Maria Isabel Lopez and Harry B. Llenza in San Juan the capital of Puerto Rico, where he received his primary and secondary education. In 1947, he graduated from Central High School and applied for admission at Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1951 he earned his bachelor's degree in Architecture and a commission as 2st lieutenant thru the Air Force ROTC program.[1]

Military career

Llenza began his military career as an enlisted airmen in the United States Air Force Reserve in 1946 and in 1951 joined the regular United States Air Force as a 2nd lieutenant assigned to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock County, Texas. Attended USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, the Air War College, and Air Command and Staff College in Maxwell Air Force Base, among others.[1]

Korean War
F-104 - Type of aircraft flown by Llenza

During the Korean War, Llenza flew as a pilot in the 9th Air Refueling Squadron. During his career he flew the T-6 Texan, B-25 Mitchell, Boeing KB-29M tanker, KC-97 Stratofreighter tanker, T-33 Shooting Star Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre D, E, F and H models, F-104 Starfighter, and the C-47 Skytrain, C-54 Skymaster, C-131 Samaritan transports.[1]

Adjutant General of P.R. National Guard

After Llenza retired from active duty he was named Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard by Governor Carlos Romero Barceló, a position which he held from 1977 to 1983.[1] Llenza became the mission director in Ecuador for US AID from 1983-1986. As a civilian he was a successful architect with Llenza & Llenza (the other Llenza was Hector his brother).[2]

Llenza is also the recipient of many awards, including the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal and the National Order of Merit-Ecuador.[1] The now-retired General Llenza is the Chairman of the American Veterans' Committee for Puerto Rico Self-Determination. Llenza is a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Council for Puerto Rico Statehood.[3]

Awards and decorations

Among Llenza's decorations and medals were the following:

Badges:

  •   Command pilot

Foreign award

National Order of Merit-Ecuador

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See also

References
  1. Puerto Rico Herald - Profile: Orlando Llenza
  2. Llenza speaks out for Puerto Rican Statehood
  3. United States Council for Puerto Rico Statehood
Military offices
Preceded by
Major General Salvador M. Padilla Escabi		 Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard
Under Governor Carlos Romero Barceló
1977–1983		 Succeeded by
Brigadier General Luis González Vales

Further reading
  • "Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor. Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own"; by : Greg Boudonck; ISBN 1497421837; ISBN 978-1497421837
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