Orlando Llenza
Major General Orlando Llenza (born 1930 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is the second Puerto Rican to reach the rank of Major General (two-star General) in the United States Air Force.
A graduate from Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Architecture in 1951, he attended the USAF Flying School, the Air War College, and Air Command and Staff College, among others.
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, KB_29M tanker, KC-97F tanker, T-33 Shooting Star, F-86 D, E,F and H models,F-104 Starfighter, and the C-47, C-54, C-131 transports.
Llenza was a pilot for the USAF, Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard, Mission Director in Ecuador for US AID from 1983-1986 and successful architect with Llenza & Llenza.
General Llenza is also the recipient of many awards, including the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal and the National Order of Merit-Ecuador.
The now-retired General Llenza is the Chairman of the American Veterans’ Committee for Puerto Rico Self-Determination.