Memorial Day: Some Flags, Some Boys, and The Medal of Honor - Page 3

http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm

It is the site for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and includes the citation for every Medal of Honor ever awarded. You will find gems like this one:
_____

HERRERA, SILVESTRE S.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Mertzwiller, France, 15 March 1945. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Birth: El Paso, Tex. G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945. Citation: He advanced with a platoon along a wooded road until stopped by heavy enemy machinegun fire. As the rest of the unit took cover, he made a 1-man frontal assault on a strongpoint and captured 8 enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield, Pvt. Herrera again moved forward, disregarding the danger of exploding mines, to attack the position. He stepped on a mine and had both feet severed but, despite intense pain and unchecked loss of blood, he pinned down the enemy with accurate rifle fire while a friendly squad captured the enemy gun by skirting the minefield and rushing in from the flank. The magnificent courage, extraordinary heroism, and willing self-sacrifice displayed by Pvt. Herrera resulted in the capture of 2 enemy strongpoints and the taking of 8 prisoners.

_____

According to the web site, Silvestre Herrera is still living. He was in his 20's when he lost his feet fighting for our freedom. Let's all think about him today.
Lowell

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  • 1 - Tan Hoang

    May 27, 2005 at 7:08 pm

    That generation really was something special.

  • 2 - SFC SKI

    May 28, 2005 at 4:16 am

    Every generation of has produced some incredibly heroic warriors. If the prss was doing its job, you'd be able to read about the most recent ones eveyday.

    Thanks for the post, and for taking the time to render honor to the fallen and the living.

  • 3 - Shark

    May 28, 2005 at 11:30 am

    My father fought in this encounter, about 10 feet from this medal of honor winner --- in one of the worst battles of the European theater, The Hurtgen Forest.

    RIP, *Dad.



    *1 silver star
    2 bronze stars


  • 4 - Shark

    May 28, 2005 at 11:33 am

    the official site honoring the Medal of Honor Recipients

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