Van of Valor

“De Puerto Rico al Infante”: New Music Video Honors Purple Heart Recipient Sgt. Ingrid English for International Women’s Day

MIDDLESBURG, FL – This International Women’s Day, the Van of Valor project is releasing a powerful and unique music video, “De Puerto Rico al Infante” (From Puerto Rico to the Marine), to celebrate the extraordinary life and service of Marine Sgt. Ingrid English. The video is a testament to the strength of women in the military, the rarity of her role, and the profound personal sacrifices that define her American story.

Sgt. English’s journey is anything but ordinary. Raised in Puerto Rico, she was inspired by a photograph of her grandfather to serve her country. Ignoring conventional advice, she was drawn to the Marine Corps’ iconic dress blues, vowing to her grandmother, “Next time you see me, I’ll be a Marine in my blues.” She kept that promise.

Her career would see her break barriers as a member of the Female Engagement Team (FET) – a specialized role that deployed women to interact with female populations in conservative cultures where contact with male soldiers was forbidden. This critical mission took her from the conventional logistics of a supply clerk and heavy equipment operator to the front lines of connectivity in Afghanistan.

“She completely, 100% talked me out of the Army,” Ingrid recalls of a conversation with her aunt, a Lieutenant Colonel. “I was like, if I’m going to look badass, I’m going to look badass in a uniform.” And badass she was. As a member of the FET, Sgt. English operated in a uniquely challenging and rare capacity, building trust and gathering vital intelligence that only women could access, all while under the constant threat of combat.

The video, created by Dr. Kevin P. Wallace of the Van of Valor, documents the full scope of her sacrifice. It traces her journey through the shock of 9/11 in Okinawa, the relentless cycle of three deployments to Iraq, and the painful years spent separated from her young daughter, who was raised between the States and Puerto Rico.

The emotional crescendo of the video arrives with her 2010 deployment to Afghanistan, where she was wounded in action—an event that earned her the Purple Heart. This medal, a “permanent, sacred mark,” signifies not just her sacrifice, but her survival and unwavering dedication.

“De Puerto Rico al Infante” is more than a biopic; it is a cross-cultural tribute. With a stirring fusion of Puerto Rican bomba y plena and American folk music, the video reflects the dual soul of its subject. It captures the pride of her family, the steel of her resolve, and the beautiful soul she proudly claims.

The story comes full circle with a powerful testament to her legacy: her daughter, who witnessed her mother’s service from afar, is now a Marine herself. Having recently given birth to twins, she is transitioning from active duty to pursue a nursing career, telling her mother, “Mom, I don’t know how you did it.”

This International Women’s Day, the Van of Valor invites the world to watch “De Puerto Rico al Infante” and witness the story of a woman who not only answered the call of duty but redefined it. It is a story of a promise made in Puerto Rico, honored on the battlefields of Afghanistan, and forever preserved in a Purple Heart and a song.

To watch the video and support the mission of the Van of Valor to document the stories of all Purple Heart recipients, visit www.HelpVoV.com.