Famous Veterans Celebrating Birthdays Today (April 20th):

Famous Veterans Born April 20, 1923:

Tito Puente – Musician, songwriter, bandleader, timbalero, and record producer – (Drafted into the Navy during World War II) – Died: June 1, 2000

Puente served in the Navy for three years during World War II after being drafted in 1942. He was discharged with a Presidential Unit Citation for serving in nine battles on the escort aircraft carrier USS Santee (CVE-29) where his duties included playing alto saxophone and clarinet in the ship’s big band as well as occasionally drum set, piano during mess hall, acting as the ship’s bugler, and serving as a machine gunner during battles. The G.I. Bill allowed him to study music at Juilliard School of Music, where he completed his formal education in conducting, orchestration, and theory after three years