WNMU Alum is First American Honored with Spain's Distinguished Merit Cross

Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 29 December 2015 29 December 2015

WNMU Alum Is First American Honored by Spanish Cyberterrorism Unit With Distinguished Merit Cross Award

Silver City, NM - For spearheading successful cyberterrorism and cybersecurity initiatives in the country of Spain, Jose Luna has been awarded the distinguished merit cross by the Spanish Guardia Civil, Spain's elite military organization and police force.

Since 2010, Luna has been assigned to the Naval Station in Rota, Spain. He serves as a criminal investigator for the Department of the Navy and supports counterterrorism operations in Europe. The merit cross award, which he received on November 20, is the latest in several recognitions through the last two decades.

After graduating from Douglas High School in Douglas, Arizona; Luna enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Okinawa, Japan. He graduated from Cochise College before earning degrees in Sociology and Administration of Justice from Western New Mexico University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1993.

Since then, Luna has led a prominent career in criminal justice at the national level working for the U.S. government in several high profile posts, currently as a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) special agent.

“Receiving this prestigious award has been an overwhelming and emotional experience,” said Luna. “It is truly a great honor to be the first American to receive this medal.”

The merit cross is only awarded to individuals who have performed duties in extraordinary and meritorious manner.

“I am grateful to work in an overseas capacity and for the opportunity to interact with host national law enforcement and military officials on a daily basis,” said Luna. “I hope my actions throughout my military and federal law enforcement careers serve as a vessel to motivate others who wish to follow in my footsteps.”

Prior to his post in Spain, Luna was an agent with the Environmental Protection Agency - Criminal Investigation Division. He worked on several criminal investigations earning him a Bronze Medal for his efforts.

Luna also served as a member of the National Counterterrorism Evidence Response Team (NCERT), an elite and highly trained group responsible for supporting environmental crime investigations.

In 2005, during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Luna and other NCERT members were deputized as Louisiana State Troopers to provide law enforcement support for the city of New Orleans.

Leading up to his current post, Luna served in Iraq and Afghanistan during deployments in 2008 through 2010, conducting civilian investigative combat operations. His service during these employments culminated in several recognitions including receiving the Global War on Terror Service Medal and three NCIS Expeditionary Medals.

Pictured is Jose Luna at center, posing with high ranking officers of the Spanish Guardia Civil in Spain, during his award ceremony.

Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and serves a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background.

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