Salvador T. Roig

Major General Salvador Teodoro Roig Marietti, (November 9, 1907 - July 6, 1984), was the Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police Department under the Government of Luis Muñoz Marín, and Adjutant General of the National Guard under the Government of Roberto Sánchez Vilella. His military career began at the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) where he was commissioned as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He graduated from the Academy national of the negotiated Federal Research in Washington DC. Served with the 65th Infantry Regiment in the Korean War In 1946 he was honorably discharged from army active duty and went on to the U.S. Army Reserve until 1952.

Salvador T. Roig
Born	November 9, 1907 Yauco, Puerto Rico
Died	July 6, 1984 (aged 76) Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army  United States Army Reserve Army National Guard
Rank	Major General
Unit	65th Infantry Regiment
Commands held	Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard
Battles/wars	([World War II]) Korean War
Awards	Legion of Merit
Other work	Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police Department

Roig was appointed Chief of police of Puerto Rico for a second time in 1963, and he was subsequently appointed to the position of Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard. Among his accomplishments as a public servant stands have occupied the positions of Chief of Police of Puerto Rico, Military Assistant and Chief of Protocol of La Fortaleza (The Fortress) under the Government of Jesús T. Piñero. He was also exalted in the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame for his exploits in the sport of archery target.

Early years

Roig was born in Yauco, Puerto Rico, to Juan Roig and Angela Marrietti on November 9, 1907.[1] Roig completed his high school education in the UPR's high school.[1] On November 26, 1926, Roig joined the Puerto Rico National Guard.[1] Afterwards, he began his superior education at the Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in Mayagüez, where he joined the ROTC.[1] During this time, Roig also served in Company I of the 295th Infantry Regiment and Company G of the 296th Infantry Regiment, becoming the ranks of second lieutenant and first lieutenant.[1] In 1931, Roig completed his degree in Agricultural Sciences.[1] In June 1936, Roig was promoted to the rank of captain.[1] In 1938, he was selected to attend training at Fort Benning, from where he graduated.[2] He also graduated from the FBI's Training Academy in Washington.[3] Roig married Aida Mejía, with whom he had three children, Salvador II, Angel and Yan.[4]

Education and military career

He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences in the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (CAAM) of Mayagüez. In October 1940, Roig was activated to serve in World War II and was placed in charge of Company G of the 296th Regiment which was stationed at Campamento Tortuguero under Gen. Luis Esteves.[2] In January 1941, Roig returned to Fort Benning to attend a course for battalion commanders and other officers, returning to his previous post after completing it.[2] On December 8, 1941, Roig was transferred to Saint a Thomas along several men, where he was given the charge of organize the defenses of the Virgin Islands along the navy.[2] During this time, he was promoted to the rank of commander and was congratulated by the Commander of the Military Department of the Antilles for his work leading infantry troops.[2] Afterwards, Roig was translated to Puerto Rico and assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment.[2] While serving in Panama, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and charged with overseeing the terrestrial defense of the Panama Canal Zone.[2] In November 1943, Roig was tasked with commanding the Infantry Units in charge of the defenses in the Galápagos Islands.[5] The following year, after receiving additional training Roig was transferred to Marsella, where he remained until the winter.[5] He then took command of the 65th Regiment and lead them at the Alps, the first time that a fully Puerto Rican unit was led by a local officer in combat.[5] From there, he was assigned to take part in an offensive on March 25, 1944.[5] In September 1945, Roig was promoted to the rank of Infantry Colonel and shortly afterwards the 65th returned to Puerto Rico.[5] Afterwards, Roig was licensed and recruited by colonial governor Rexford Guy Tugwell to serve as Police Chief in 1946.[5]

The next governor, Jesús T. Piñero, tasked him with the offices of Military Adviser and Chief of Protocol for La Fortaleza.[3] He continued as a member of the reserve until 1952.[3] In 1954, he represented Puerto Rico with the Police Shooting Team, being recognized as the most accomplished 12 gauge shotgun shooter.[3] During the Muñoz Marín administration, Roig served as Chief and Superintendent of the Police.[3] In 1964, Roig was exalted to the Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame.[3] On March 20, 1966, Roig was named Adjutant General of the PRNG by Roberto Sánchez Vilella.[3]

Legacy

Roig died on July 6, 1984, at the San Juan VA Medical Center in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rico Police Department Station in Yauco, Puerto Rico was posthumously named after former Puerto Rico Police Superintendent, Salvador T. Roig.

Military awards and decorations

Among Roig's decorations are the following:

	Legion of Merit
	National Defense Service Medal
	Korean Service Medal with silver service star
	United Nations Korea Medal
	Army Service Ribbon
	Army Overseas Service Ribbon
	Army Presidential Unit Citation
	Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
	Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

Foreign decoration

• The Greek Gold Medal of Bravery

Badges:

•   Combat Infantryman Badge

See also

• List of Puerto Rican military personnel
• Puerto Rico Adjutant General

References

Citations

1. Norat 1987, pp. 481
2. Norat 1987, pp. 482
3. Norat 1987, pp. 484
4. Norat 1987, pp. 485
5. Norat 1987, pp. 483

Bibliography

• Norat, José Angel (March 27, 1987). Historia y Tradiciones: Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico - Cinco Centurias... En Guardia. Esmaco Printers.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)