# Daniel López Romo

Daniel “Danny” Francisco López Romo (January 28, 1945 – September 20, 2024), was a Puerto Rican United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Brigadier General and assistant adjutant general for Air, Puerto Rico Air National Guard. He was the first hispanic officer ever appointed to the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Air National Guard Advisory Council in 1990.

## Early life and education

López Romo was born San Juan, Puerto Rico. He graduated high school from Colegio Ponceño in 1962. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, in 1966 where he joined the Beta Activo chapter of Phi Sigma Alpha fraternity in 1963. He obtained a Juris Doctor from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law in 1969. He also graduated from the Air Command and Staff College by correspondence in 1982.

## Career and later life

He was appointed as a United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico in 1982 by president Ronald Reagan and was reappointed numerous times. He eventually became head of the office. While head of the US Attorney’s office in Puerto Rico he investigated and prosecuted different cases related to the Cerro Maravilla murders including charges against 10 Police officers who had previously been hailed as heroes. He was also instrumental in virtually disbanding the Macheteros insurgent organization by arresting 15 of its members on August 31, 1985, after the group's 7 million dollar Wells Fargo truck heist.
After two years in the Army ROTC he went to the Air Force ROTC where he got his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on September 7, 1966. Served from 1970 til 1974 as assistant judge advocate, 3902nd Airlift Bomb Wing at Offutt Air Force Base. From 1974 till 1978 ar HQ ARPC (AFRES), in Denver, Colorado. Began his career with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard in 1978 as judge advocate staff officer, 156th Combat Support Squadron at Muñiz Air National Guard Base until 1985. Staff judge advocate, Headquarters, Puerto Rico ANG, San Juan, P.R from 1985 till 1993. From 1993 till April 2001 he held the position of assistant adjutant general for Air, Puerto Rico Air National Guard.

## Death

López Romo died on September 20, 2024, at his home do to heart complications, he was 79 years old. He was buried at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

## Major awards and decorations

* Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
* National Defense Service Medal with one with bronze Service star
* Air Force Longevity Service Award with three bronze Oak leaf clusters
* Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold hourglass device
* Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze service star
* Air Force Training Ribbon
* Puerto Rico National Guard Service Medal
* Puerto Rico VIII Pan-American Games Support Ribbon
* Puerto Rico National Guard Distinguished Service Medal
* Recipient Meritorious Service award President's Committee Employment of Handicapped, 1982,
* Federal Executive of Year award, 1985
* Shining Star Civic Action Ribbon

## Effective dates of promotions

| Rank | Date |
| Brigadier general | October 25, 1993 |
| Colonel | December 23, 1988 |
| Lieutenant colonel | August 7, 1985 |
| Major | February 13, 1979 |
| Captain | September 7, 1971 |
| First lieutenant | September 7, 1969 |
| Second lieutenant | September 7, 1966 |