Juan Santiago, Sergeant First Class, US Army Retired, and proud “Soldier for Life”, was born February 6, 1939, entered active duty on October 7, 1958, and was relieved from duty on December 12, 2025. Juan, a resident of Viera, FL, passed away peacefully at the age of 86. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Carmen; son Juan Jr., and daughter-in-law Julia; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. 

Juan was born and raised in Puerto Rico. After enlisting in the U.S. Army, he completed a two-month pre-basic training program at Ft. Buchanan, PR, before his basic and advanced combat training at Ft. Jackson, SC. That program was designed to prepare enlistees who, although natural born U.S. citizens, lacked sufficient proficiency in spoken English. Juan often laughed as he recalled that, even after that preparation, in the States he was surprised to learn such things as a “hot dog” was not actually made from dog.

Following Airbourne training at Ft. Campbell, KY, and duty as a Physical Training Cadre at Ft. Benning, GA, Juan was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. He later transferred to the 5th Infantry Division at Ft. Devens, MA and, because of his previous experience in Vietnam, helped to prepare his fellow 2nd Infantry Regiment soldiers (Ramrods) for duty there. In 1965, Juan returned to Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division. He ultimately served five consecutive combat tours and departed Vietnam in 1970 while assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade. During his time in that combat zone, utilizing his self-acquired fluency in Vietnamese, he also supported various Special Forces and Central Intelligence Agency operations. After returning to the States, he was among the first soldiers to complete what is now known as Defense Equal Opportunity Management training. He concluded his active-duty service supporting the troops through that program.

Juan’s active-duty awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge of which he was most proud, seven Air Medals and two Purple Hearts. In later years, he was honored with the Infantry’s Order of St. Maurice, Aviation’s Order of St. Michael, the U.S. Army Recruiting Excellence Medallion, designated as a Distinguished Member of the Second Infantry Regiment and inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

After retiring from active duty, Juan accompanied his wife, who remained on active duty, to assignments throughout Europe and the U.S. He earned accolades in civil service positions including Gymnasium Manager at Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe in Heidelburg, West Germany and Recreation Specialist at Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy, as well as Perry Point Veterans’ Hospital in Maryland.

Eventually, Juan and his wife settled in Melbourne, FL, where he continued his life-long interest in baseball by working at the Florida Marlins’ Spring Training Complex. During his time there he was named Employee of the Year and obtained his treasured 1997 World Series Ring.

Memories of the special bond he had built with his fellow Ramrods in Vietnam prompted Juan to seek them out at various small unit reunions. Later, he played a key role in consolidating them into a larger three-day Ramrods Reunion in Pigeon Forge, TN. Then Juan became the driving force behind expanding that into a very popular four-day reunion that is now held over the Armed Forces Day weekend each May. That reunion has attracted Ramrods and other veterans who have served from World War II thru to today and their families.

But the Army called once more, this time through the U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s Centers of Influence (COI) Program. Recognizing his uniquely special rapport with young people and active involvement in veterans’ programs, the Army invited Juan to serve as a volunteer. For more than 20 years, Juan spent much of his time serving as a COI/VIP. He engaged with high school students and their families in classrooms and during extracurricular activities, led Honor Guards, acted as a liaison with businesses and organizations to foster understanding and support of the Army’s mission and opportunities and mentored the young soldiers who enlisted throughout their training. Juan often attended their basic training graduations and other ceremonies and very proudly received the news about their many achievements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a military charity organization of your choosing to help support the brave men and women who proudly serve our country. Thank you.