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List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients

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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]

Reverse of the Medal of Honor awarded to Seaman John Ortega

Sixty-one (61) 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 to receive 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

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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

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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

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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 meritorious conduct[15]

World War I

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Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
  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

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  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
  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]
  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 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]
  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]
  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]
  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 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]
  Joe P. Martinez* Private Army Company K, 32d Infantry, 7th Infantry Division Attu, Aleutians, Alaska, United States May 26, 1943 Killed in action while participating in the defeat of enemy forces in a snow-covered mountain.[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]
  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]
  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 defeated[20]
  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* Private first class Army Company B, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division Rosenkrantz, France January 25, 1945 [21]
  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

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  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]
  Fernando Luis García* Private first class Marine Corps Company I
3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Marine Division 		Korea September 5, 1952 [22]
  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]
  Ambrosio Guillen* Staff sergeant Marine Corps Company F
2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
1st Marine Division 		Songuch-on, Korea July 25, 1953 [22]
  Rodolfo P. Hernandez Corporal Army Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team Near Wontong-ni, Korea May 31, 1951 [22]
  Baldomero Lopez* First lieutenant Marine Corps Company A
1st Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Marine Division 		Inchon Landing, Korea September 15, 1950 [22]
  Benito Martinez* Corporal Army Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Satacri, Korea September 6, 1952 [22]
  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]
  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]
  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 C. Rodriguez Private first class Army Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division Near Munye-ri, Korea May 21, 1951 [22]
  Miguel A. Vera* Private Army Company F, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Chorwon, South Korea Sept. 21, 1952 [18]

Vietnam War

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  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]
  Roy P. Benavidez Master sergeant Army Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Loc Ninh, Vietnam May 2, 1968 [23]
  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]
  Emilio A. De La Garza* Lance corporal Marine Corps Company E
2nd Battalion, 1st Marines 		Da Nang April 11, 1970 [23]
  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]
  Santiago J. Erevia Specialist four Army Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division Tam Ky May 1969 [24][25]
  Daniel D. Fernández* Specialist four Army Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized) 25th Infantry Division Hau Nghia Province February 18, 1966 [23]
  Candelario Garcia* Sergeant Army Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Lai Khe, South Vietnam Dec. 8, 1968 [18]
  Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez* Sergeant Marine Corps Company A
1st Battalion, 1st Marines 		Hue City February 4, 1968 [23]
  Jose Francisco Jimenez* Lance corporal Marine Corps Company K
3rd Battalion, 7th Marines
1st Marine Division 		Quang Nam Province August 28, 1969 [23]
  Miguel Keith* Lance corporal Marine Corps III Marine Amphibious Force Quang Ngai Province May 8, 1970 [23]
  Carlos Lozada* Private first class Army Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade Dak To November 20, 1967 [23]
  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]
  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]
  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* Captain Army Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division Tay Ninh Province November 8, 1966 [26]
  Hector Santiago-Colon* Specialist four Army Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (airmobile) Quang Tri Province June 28, 1968 [26]
  Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith* Sergeant first class Army Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division Republic of Vietnam February 16, 1967 [26]
  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]
  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

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Image Name Rank Branch Unit Place of action Date of action Notes/Reference
  Leroy Petry Sergeant first class Army D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Afghanistan May 26, 2008 [27][28][29][30]

By military branch

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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

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References

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  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. ^ "A Brief History — The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Hispanic American Medal of Honor recipients". United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  3. ^ Medal of Honor recipient of Hispanic Heritage Archived 2006-06-23 at the Wayback Machine, 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 (text) (PDF)
  6. ^ "Obama to Award Medal of Honor to 24 Army Veterans - ABC News". abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  7. ^ Puerto Rican Medal of Honor recipients, Oakland Tribune, Retrieved July 29, 2008
  8. ^ "Hispanic of Filipino ancestry to receive the medal". Somos Primos.
  9. ^ 22 Asian Americans Inducted into Hall of Heroes, El Boricua, Retrieved July 29, 2008
  10. ^ 1st Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, USMC Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine, 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 Archived 1999-02-19 at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau, November 2, 2000, Retrieved December 28, 2007
  13. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Civil War A-L". United States Army Center of Military History. August 6, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  14. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients - Civil War M-Z". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  15. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients - China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  16. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients - World War I". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  17. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (A–F)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q to award Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans
  19. ^ a b c d e "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (G–L)". U.S. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010. [dead link‍]
  20. ^ a b c d "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (M-S)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  21. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (T–Z)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h "Medal of Honor recipients - Korean War". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h "Medal of Honor recipients - Vietnam (A-L)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  24. ^ Vergun, David (21 February 2014). "President announces 24 Soldiers to receive Medals of Honor". Army News Service. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  25. ^ Wilson, Scott (21 February 2014). "Obama to award Medal of Honor to two dozen veterans, including 19 discrimination victims". Washington Post. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h "Medal of Honor recipients - Vietnam (M-Z)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  27. ^ "Wounded Soldier to receive Medal of Honor for action in Afghanistan". Army News Service. United States Army. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  28. ^ Jason Ukman (12 July 2011). "Leroy Petry, Army Ranger, awarded Medal of Honor". Washington Post. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  29. ^ "Wash. soldier awarded Medal of Honor". KGW. 12 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  30. ^ "Latino Soldier Receives Medal of Honor"; By Damarys Ocana Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
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  • Ricardo Romo (August 22, 1997). "Above and Beyond". UT Discovery Magazine. Retrieved November 21, 2006.
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