Rafael Hernandez was born in Puerto Rico in 1892. Hernandez was a student of music from a young age, learning how to play the piano, violin and various other instruments. He was a member of many different music groups such as the San Juan Band, a dance orchestra and a band called the Japanese Circus.
Rafael joined the Army in 1917 and was stationed in Europe assigned to the 369th Regiment Band. The band was a segregated unit founded by James Europe another Army Veteran. His band had played in France the same year. He was recruited with 17 fellow Puerto Ricans one was his brother Jesus. As they performed in France, they introduced jazz to the European continent which earned them the nickname “Harlem Hellfighters”. Hernandez and his unit were awarded the French Croix de Guerre from the French President.
After his service Hernandez continued to work in music from the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico. In 1947 he returned to Puerto Rico where he was appointed as the music consultant for a radio station. Rafael married his wife Maria while in Mexico and they had 4 children. Hernandez passed away in 1965 after losing a battle to cancer.
After Rafael passed away, multiple public buildings were named in his honor, the airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and a couple schools in New Jersey and New York. Thank you for your service..
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