List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients

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Reverse of the Medal of Honor awarded to Seaman John Ortega

The Medal of Honor was introduced during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.[1]

Sixty-one men of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Of the Sixty-one Medals of Honor presented to Hispanics, two were presented to members of the United States Navy, thirteen to members of the United States Marine Corps and forty-six to members of the United States Army. Forty-two Medals of Honor were presented posthumously.[2]

The first recipient was Corporal Joseph H. De Castro of the Union Army for his actions at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863, during the American Civil War and the most recent recipient is Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry for his actions in Afghanistan. Corporal De Castro was a member of the Massachusetts Infantry, a militia that was not part of the "regular" army; however, Private David Bennes Barkley was a member of the regular army during World War I and has been recognized as the Army's first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient.[3] In 1864, Seaman John Ortega became the first Hispanic member of the U.S. Navy to receive the Medal of Honor and in 1900, Private France Silva became the first person of Hispanic descent in the U.S. Marine Corps to receive the medal.[4] President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to 17 Hispanics on a March 18, 2014 in a ceremony in the White House. The award comes through the National Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.[5][6]

Fifteen recipients were born outside the United States mainland, one each in Chile and Spain, five in Mexico and eight in Puerto Rico. Seaman Philip Bazaar from Chile received the medal in January 1865 and Seaman John Ortega from Spain in December 1865. The first native Mexican recipient was Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia and the first Puerto Rican was PFC Fernando Luis Garcia.[7] 1st Lt. Rudolph B. Davila, of Hispanic-Filipino descent, was the only person of Filipino ancestry to receive the medal for his actions in the war in Europe during World War II.[8] Private Joe P. Martinez was the first Hispanic-American recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for combat heroism on American soil during the same conflict.[9] 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez, is the only Hispanic graduate of the United States Naval Academy recipient of the Medal of Honor.[10] Captain Humbert Roque Versace was the first recipient of the Medal of Honor to be given to an Army POW for his actions during captivity in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.[11]

Terminology

Hispanic is an ethnic term employed to categorize any citizen or resident of the United States, of any racial background, of any country, and of any religion, who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or is of non-Hispanic origin, but has an ancestor from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central or South America, or other Hispanic origin. The three largest Hispanic groups in the United States are the Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans.[12]

American Civil War

Three Hispanic Americans earned the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War, two were sailors of the Union Navy and one was a soldier of the 19th Massachusetts Infantry.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
—
 Philip Bazaar Ordinary Seaman Navy Massachusetts, USS Santiago de Cuba Assault on Fort Fisher January 15, 1865 "As one of a boat crew detailed to one of the generals on shore, O.S. Bazaar bravely entered the fort in the assault and accompanied his party in carrying dispatches at the height of the battle. He was 1 of 6 men who entered the fort in the assault from the fleet"[13]
—
 Joseph H. De Castro Corporal Army Company I, 19th Massachusetts Infantry Gettysburg, Pennsylvania July 3, 1863 Attacked a confederate flag bearer from the 19th Virginia Infantry regiment and captured their flag.[13]
—
 John Ortega Seaman Navy USS Saratoga USS Saratoga December 1864 Was a member of a landing party who made several raids in August and September 1864 which resulted in the capture of many confederate prisoners and the taking or destruction of substantial quantities of ordnance, ammunition, and supplies. A number of buildings, bridges, and salt works were also destroyed during the expedition[14]

Boxer rebellion

During the Boxer rebellion only one Hispanic American received the Medal of Honor and that was France Silva who earned it for "distinguishing himself for meritorious conduct".

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
—
 France Silva Private Marine Corps USS Newark Peking, China June 28, 1900–August 17, 1900 For distinguishing himself by meritorlous conduct[15]

World War I

Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
A head and shoulders portrait of a young, cleanshaven man in a formal military uniform, wearing a hat. David B. Barkley* Private Army Company A, 356th Infantry,
89th Division		 Near Pouilly, France November 9, 1918 Volunteered to swim a river to gather information on an enemy force. When he was swimming back across the river he got cramps and drowned.[16]

World War II

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image Name Branch Rank Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
Lucian Adams Staff Sergeant Army 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division St. Die, France October 1944 [17]
Pedro Cano Private Army Company C, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division Schevenhutte, Germany Dec. 3, 1944 [18]
90px Rudolph B. Davila Staff Sergeant Army Company H, 7th Infantry Artena, Italy May 28, 1944 Risked his life to destroy three hostile machine guns.[18]
Joe Gandara Private Army Company D, 2d Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division Amfreville, France June 9, 1944 He destroyed three hostile machine guns before he was fatally wounded.[18]
Marcario Garcia.jpg Marcario Garcia Staff Sergeant Army Company B, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry Division Near Grosshau, Germany November 27, 1944 "While an acting squad leader, he single-handedly assaulted two enemy machine gun emplacements"[19]
Gonsalves H USMC.jpg Harold Gonsalves* Private First Class Marine Corps 4th Battalion, 15th Marines
6th Marine Division		 Ryūkyū Chain, Okinawa April 15, 1945 Sacrificed his life to smother a grenade with his body[19]
90px David M. Gonzales* Private First Class Army Company A, 127th Infantry, 32 Infantry Division Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands April 25, 1945 Was killed in action in the Philippines while digging out fellow soldiers who had been buried in a bomb explosion[19]
90px Silvestre S. Herrera Private First Class Army Company E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division Near Mertzwiller, France March 15, 1945 Injured in action while charging an enemy stronghold resulting in the capture of eight enemy soldiers[19]
Salvador J. Lara Private First Class Army 602d Ordnance Armament Maintenance Battalion, 45th Infantry Division Aprilia, Italy May 27–28, 1944 For courageous actions during combat operations in Aprilia, Italy before he was fatally wounded.[18]
Jose M. Lopez.jpg Jose M. Lopez Sergeant Army 2d Infantry Division Near Krinkelt, Belgium December 17, 1944 Single-handedly repulsed a German infantry attack, killing at least 100 enemy troops[19]
90px Joe P. Martinez* Private Army Company K, 32d Infantry, 7th Infantry Division Attu, Aleutians May 26, 1943 Killed in action while participating in the defeat of enemy forces in a snow-covered mountain.[20]
Manuel Perez.jpg Manuel Perez Jr.* Private First Class Army Company A 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippine Islands February 13, 1945 Killed 18 enemy soldiers so his company could advance[20]
Manuel V. Mendoza Staff Sergeant Army 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division Battaglia, Italy Oct. 4, 1944 For courageous actions during combat operations on Mount Battaglia, Italy before he was fatally wounded.[18]
Cleto Rodriguez.jpg Cleto L. Rodriguez Private Army Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Division Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippine Islands February 9, 1945 With another soldier, who was killed in the action, killed more than 82 Japanese, completely disorganized their defense, and allowed for the enemy to be defeatede[20]
Alejandro Ruiz.jpg Alejandro R. Ruiz Private First Class Army 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division Okinawa April 28, 1945 Risked his life to eliminate an enemy pillbox and kill the 12 enemy soldiers who were occupying it[20]
Jose F. Valdez.jpg Jose F. Valdez* Private First Class Army Company B, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division Rosenkrantz, France January 25, 1945 [21]
Ysmael Villegas.jpg Ysmael R. Villegas* Staff Sergeant Army Company F, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands March 20, 1945 [21]

Korean War

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
Joe R. Baldonado Corporal Army Company B, 1st Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Kangdong, North Korea Nov. 25, 1950 [18]
Victor H. Espinoza Corporal Army Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Chorwon, North Korea Aug. 1, 1952 [18]
A head and shoulders portrait of a young, cleanshaven man with dark hair. Fernando Luis García* Private First Class Marine Corps Company I
3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Marine Division		 Korea September 5, 1952 [22]
Gomez E USMC.jpg Edward Gomez* Private First Class Marine Corps Company E
2nd Battalion, 1st Marines
1st Marine Division		 Kajon-ni, Korea September 14, 1951 [22]
Eduardo C. Gomez Sergeant Army Company I, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Tabu-dong, South Korea Sept. 3, 1950 For heroism in inflicting a heavy toll in casualties and retarding the enemy's advance.[18]
Guillen A.jpg Ambrosio Guillen* Staff Sergeant Marine Corps Company F
2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
1st Marine Division		 Songuch-on, Korea July 25, 1953 [22]
90px Rodolfo P. Hernandez Corporal Army Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team Near Wontong-ni, Korea May 31, 1951 [22]
Baldomero Lopez - portrait.jpg Baldomero Lopez* First Lieutenant Marine Corps Company A
1st Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Marine Division		 Inchon Landing, Korea September 15, 1950 [22]
Benito Martinez2.jpg Benito Martinez* Corporal Army Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Satacri, Korea September 6, 1952 [22]
Juan-negron-united-states-army-medal-of-honor.jpg Juan E. Negrón Master Sergeant Army 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division Kalma-Eri, North Korea April 28, 1951 For courageous actions during combat operations in Kalma-Eri, North Korea.[18]
90px Eugene Arnold Obregon* Private First Class Marine Corps Company G
3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Marine Division		 Second Battle of Seoul September 26, 1950 [22]
Mike C. Pena Master Sergeant Army Company F, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Waegwan, South Korea Sept. 4, 1950 [18]
90px Demensio Rivera Private Army Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Changyong-ni, South Korea May 23, 1951 For courageous actions during combat operations in Changyong-ni, South Korea.[18]
Joseph Rodriguez.jpg Joseph C. Rodriguez Private First Class Army Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division Near Munye-ri, Korea May 21, 1951 [22]
Miguel-vera-united-states-army-medal-of-honor.jpg Miguel A. Vera Private Army Company F, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Chorwon, South Korea Sept. 21, 1952 [18]

Vietnam War

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
Leonard L. Alvarado Specialist Four Army Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Phuoc Long province, South Vietnam Aug. 12, 1969 [18]
JBaca.jpg John P. Baca Specialist Four Army Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division Phuoc Long Province February 10, 1970 [23]
90px Roy P. Benavidez Master Sergeant Army Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Loc Ninh, Vietnam May 2, 1968 [23]
90px Felix M. Conde-Falcon Staff Sergeant Army Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division. Ap Tan Hoa, South Vietnam April 4, 1969 [18]
Delagarza EA.jpg Emilio A. De La Garza* Lance Corporal Marine Corps Company E
2nd Battalion, 1st Marines		 Da Nang April 11, 1970 [23]
Dias RE USMC.jpg Ralph E. Dias* Private First Class Marine Corps 1st Battalion, 7th Marines Quang Nam Province November 12, 1969 [23]
Jesus S. Duran Specialist Four Army Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). South Vietnam April 10, 1969 Mounting a log, he fired directly into the enemy's foxholes and eliminated four of them and several others as they fled.[18]
90px Santiago J. Erevia Specialist Four Army Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division Tam Ky May 1969 [24][25]
Daniel Fernandez.jpg Daniel Fernandez* Specialist Four Army Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized) 25th Infantry Division Hau Nghia Province February 18, 1966 [23]
Candelario Garcia Sergeant Army Lai Khe, South Vietnam Dec. 8, 1968 [18]
90px Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez* Sergeant Marine Corps Company A
1st Battalion, 1st Marines		 Hue City February 4, 1968 [23]
90px Jose Francisco Jimenez* Lance Corporal Marine Corps Company K
3rd Battalion, 7th Marines
1st Marine Division		 Quang Nam Province August 28, 1969 [23]
90px Miguel Keith* Lance Corporal Marine Corps III Marine Amphibious Force Quang Ngai Province May 8, 1970 [23]
Carlos Lozada.JPG Carlos Lozada* Private First Class Army Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade Dak To November 20, 1967 [23]
90px Alfred V. Rascon Specialist Four Army Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne),
503rd Infantry,173d Airborne Brigade		 Republic of Vietnam March 16, 1966 [26]
90px Louis R. Rocco Sergeant First Class Army Advisory Team 162, United States Military Assistance Command Northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam May 24, 1970 [26]
90px Jose Rodela Sergeant First Class Army Detachment B-36, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces . Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam September 1, 1969 For actions during combat operations against an armed enemy .[18]
Euripides Rubio.jpg Euripides Rubio* Captain Army Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division Tay Ninh Province November 8, 1966 [26]
90px Hector Santiago-Colon* Specialist Four Army Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (airmobile) Quang Tri Province June 28, 1968 [26]
E.Rodrigues Smith.jpg Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith* Sergeant First Class Army Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division Republic of Vietnam February 16, 1967 [26]
90px Jay R. Vargas Captain Marine Corps Company G
2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
9th Marine Amphibious Brigade		 Dai Do April 30, 1968–May 2, 1968 [26]
90px Humbert Roque Versace* Captain Army Detachment A-23, 5th Special Forces Group An Xuyen Province October 29, 1963–September 26, 1965 [26]
Maximo Yabes* First Sergeant Army Company A, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Near Phu Hoa Dong February 26, 1967 [26]

War in Afghanistan

Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
Leroy A Petry.jpg Leroy Petry Sergeant First Class Army 75th Ranger Regiment Afghanistan May 26, 2008 [27][28][29][30]

By military branch

Awards by branch of service
Military
branch		 Posthumously In person Number of
awards
Army 30 16 46
Marines 11 2 13
Navy 0 2 2
Total 41 20 61

Note: The information in "Awards by branch of service Table" is based on the sourced information on the "List of Recipients Table".

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Medal of Honor recipient of Hispanic Heritage, Hispanic America USA, Retrieved July 29, 2008
  4. ↑ Local hero no longer forgotten, Retrieved July 29, 2008 Archived March 18, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Pub.L. 107–107
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Puerto Rican Medal of Honor recipients, Oakland Tribune, Retrieved July 29, 2008
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 22 Asian Americans Inducted into Hall of Heroes, El Boricua, Retrieved July 29, 2008
  10. ↑ 1st Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, USMC, Association of Naval Services Officers, Retrieved July 29, 2008
  11. ↑ Mishalov, Neil; Versace MoH Citation excerpts from:The Washington Post, July 8, 2002; By Steve Vogel, The Washington Times; July 4, 2002; By Ellen Sorokin; The Washington Post; May 27, 2001; Stars and Stripes; January 18, 2001; By Dave Eberhart, Stars and Stripes Veterans Affairs Editor, Stars and Stripes; July 18, 2000; By Dave Eberhart, Stars and Stripes Veterans Affairs Editor and Stars and Stripes; Oct 7, 2000; By Mike Faber, Stars and Stripes Contributing Writer, Retrieved July 29, 2008
  12. ↑ Hispanic Population of the United States: Current Population - Survey Definition and Background, United States Census Bureau, November 2, 2000, Retrieved December 28, 2007
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.00 18.01 18.02 18.03 18.04 18.05 18.06 18.07 18.08 18.09 18.10 18.11 18.12 18.13 18.14 18.15 18.16 to award Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 26.6 26.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ "Latino Soldier Receives Medal of Honor"; By Damarys Ocana

External links

  • Hispanic Medal of Honor Society Listing of Hispanics who received the Medal of Honor and those who are listed as nominees.
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  • Eugene A. Obregon Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Foundation, dedicated to financing and constructing a monument to honor the Medal of Honor recipients of Latino descent.
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