Video by Naval Postgraduate School

Honored for his contributions to both the Colombian naval forces and to the United States, retired Adm. Guillermo Barrera became the 30th member of the prestigious NPS Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony on March 28 at Herrmann Hall. Rear Adm. James Aiken, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet, presented Barrera with his Hall of Fame medallion.

Barrera, a 1983 NPS graduate who now teaches at the Naval War College, was honored for his 40year naval career, which culminated in his service as Commander of the Colombian Navy from 20062010.

Barrera recalled the rigor of achieving his master’s degree from NPS and that it taught him a valuable lesson about the power of knowledge and, in his words, gave him “the will to learn.” Reflecting on his experience at both NPS and Naval War College, Barrera said, “When I left, I kept communications with my professors for some time,” he said. “And I remember them with a special love, because they helped me to learn not only the technological things but also the human things.”