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SUBJ/ Department of the Navy 2024 National Hispanic Heritage Month// 
 
RMKS/1.  The Department of the Navy (DON) joins the Nation in celebrating 
National Hispanic Heritage Month from 15 September through 15 October 
2024.  The tradition of observing Hispanic heritage began in 1968, when 
President Lyndon B. Johnson designated a week in mid-September as National 
Hispanic Heritage Week.  Twenty years later in 1988, President Ronald Reagan 
extended that week to a month-long observance.  This year's theme is 
"Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together."  When I entered office as 
Secretary of the Navy, I laid out Three Enduring Priorities which serve as 
the foundation of all we do in the DON. My priority of Building a Culture of 
Warfighting Excellence is focused on taking care of our people.  Because our 
people-our Sailors, Marines, and DON civilians-provide the foundational 
strengthen for this Department, and force resilience and readiness begin and 
end with them. 
 
2.  Eugene A. Valencia Jr. served with Fighting Squadron 9 during World War 
II.  Appointed Aviation Cadet on 1 August 1941, Valencia got his baptism of 
fire flying a U.S. Navy Hellcat in October 1943 during strikes against 
Japanese forces on Wake Island and at Tarawa Atoll.  After several dogfights 
with the enemy aircraft, he spotted a weakness in their gunnery.  He 
pioneered a tactic nicknamed the "mowing machine" to exploit this 
weakness.  In 1945, Valencia and his four-plane division tallied 43 of the 
squadron's 130 victories. 
Valencia was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Gold 
Stars in lieu of the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Distinguished 
Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with five Gold Stars in lieu of additional 
awards.  With 23 aerial victories, Valencia is the U.S. Navy's third-ranking 
ace of all time. 
 
3.  Another pioneer of change is retired Captain Mery-Angela Sanabria 
Katson.  Born in Bogota, Colombia, Katson immigrated to the United States in 
1970, and joined the Navy in July 1982.  After becoming a naturalized 
citizen, she commissioned as an officer in 1991.  She served as an adjunct 
instructor at the United States Naval Academy and Commanding Officer of Navy 
Recruiting District, San Antonio, where she found her calling in encouraging 
others to follow and achieve their dreams.  Katson's strong commitment to 
service led to dedicating her Navy career to creating and shaping successful 
career tracks for the next generation of Navy Sailors. Katson is the epitome 
of the three "ships":  Leadership, Mentorship, and Sponsorship. 
 
4.  Hispanic Americans have had a profound and positive influence on our 
country.  Currently, more than 14 percent of the DON's total force shares 
Hispanic descent.  As we discover more of these stories, and honor their 
ultimate impact, we not only enrich our understanding, but also strengthen 
our collective identity.  I am humbled to serve as the second Hispanic 
Secretary of the Navy in our Nation's history.  I encourage you to learn more 
about the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the DON at 
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/hispanic-americans-in-
the-navy.html. 
 
5.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.// 
 
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