General Puerta began his military career in May 1940 when he entered aviation cadet training at Hamilton Field, California. His primary training was accomplished at Santa Maria, California; basic flying training at Randolph Field, Texas, and advanced training at Brooks Field, Texas. He was awarded his wings and second lieutenant’s commission in December 1940.
During WWII, he flew 125 combat missions in the Pacific Theater as a strategic bomber pilot with the 42nd Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, 13th Air Force, logging 800 combat hours in B-17s.
From May 1940 until he entered Reserve status in April 1946, he served as Communications Officer, Armament Officer, Engineering Officer, Aircraft Commander, Squadron Commander and 2nd Air Force Operations Staff Officer in the B-29 training program.
His foreign service began with his first assignment to the 11th Bomb Group at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. He remained with the 42nd Bomb Squadron from January 1941 until March 1943, during which time the 11th Bomb Group was engaged in the Solomons campaign after the beginning of the war. He also served one year (1945) with the Caribbean Air Defense Command as Chief, U.S. Aviation Mission to Guatemala.
Following internship at Fresno County General Hospital and a short private practice, General Puerta was recalled to active duty during the Korean conflict. He flew B-29 missions as Commander, 344th Bomb Squadron, Yokota, Japan.
On his return to the States, General Puerta served as Commander of the 344th Bomb Squadron with headquarters at Lincoln, Nebraska. He remained in this assignment until voluntarily released from active duty in September 1956. During a four-year period immediately following his release, he served his mobilization assignments as 93rd Bomb Wing Deputy Commander for Operations, assigned to Headquarters. In November 1960, he was reassigned to the Sacramento Air Material Area (AFLC) at McClellan AFB, California, as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander. In December 1964, he was reassigned to HQ 22nd Air Force as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander.
The General was rated a command pilot in December 1955 and in March 1968 had logged over 5400 flying hours of which 750 are in B-47, B-52, KC-135 and C-141 Jet Aircraft and 1500 hours in civilian aircraft. He was promoted to his current grade in February 1968.
DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters; Guatemalan Air Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; American Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars; WW II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star; Korean Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Serve Award Ribbon with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; United Nations Service Medal.
Civic Affiliations: American Medical Association; California Medical Association; Fresno County Medical Society.
Civilian Occupation: Practicing medical doctor.
Born: San Francisco, California, January 28, 1917.
Education: University of California, A.B. degree in 1948; M.D. degree in 1951; Internship at Fresno General Hospital; Pilot training at Santa Maria, Randolph, Kelly, and Brooks Fields, 1940; Advanced Flying School, M-B Jet, McConnell AFB, Kansas 1955.