A 105-year-old Puerto Rican veteran received Panama’s distinguished citizen honor this week, marking a key significant Panama veteran recognition ceremonies in recent memory. José A. León, a master sergeant who served two decades in the US Army, was honored September 12, 2026, by Governor Mayín Correa for his military service and lifelong connection to the Central American nation.
León enlisted in 1941 and spent significant time stationed at Fort William Davis in Colón province, where his three children were born. He retired in August 1961 after participating in both World War II and the Korean War, making him one of the oldest living US Army veterans with ties to Panama.
Panama Veteran Recognition Ceremony Details
Governor Correa emphasized León’s life as an example of bravery and discipline during the ceremony.
‘His life is a testimony to the importance of loyalty, discipline, and the vocation to serve’ [Translated from Spanish]
The governor highlighted his dual allegiance to the United States and Panama, which León considers his second homeland.
Joel Lee, superintendent of the American Battle Monuments Commission, presented León with the US flag. The ceremony also included medals and diplomas for other war veterans residing in Panama, broadening the scope of the recognition beyond a single individual.
Decades of Service and Delayed Recognition
Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, on September 9, 1921, León’s military career spanned 20 years before his retirement. His service record includes combat deployments that shaped the mid-20th century geopolitical landscape. But formal recognition came decades later, a pattern advocates say affects many veterans who served in Panama during the Canal Zone era.
Esteban Blis, president of the You Served We Care foundation, attended the ceremony and described León’s case as exceptional. The organization works to secure medals and recognition for American veterans while they are still alive. In December 2025, León received several medals, military orders, and corrections to his military record that had been pending since his retirement in 1961.
Broader Context for Veteran Recognition in Panama
The ceremony reflects growing efforts to honor aging veterans with Panama connections. Fort William Davis, where León served, operated as a US military installation during the Canal Zone period, hosting thousands of American service members over decades. Many veterans who served there maintain family and personal ties to Panamanian communities.
León’s visible emotion during the ceremony underscored the personal significance of the honor. He expressed pride in his military career and gratitude to authorities and community members who attended. The event adds to a series of tributes León has received in Panama, where he has resided for decades and maintains deep family connections.
The recognition also highlights the ongoing work of organizations like You Served We Care to correct military records and deliver long-overdue honors to veterans in their final years. For León, the ceremony capped a lifetime of service spanning two wars and two nations he calls home.