Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans: Korean War hero Private Miguel A. Vera
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| Pvt. Miguel A. Vera |
Pvt. Miguel A. Vera will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an automatic
rifleman with Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division in
Chorwon, Korea, on September 21, 1952.
Miguel Armando “Nando” Vera was born in Puerto Rico.
Vera joined the U.S. Army when he was 17 years old.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations, while serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Vera distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chorwon, Korea, on Sept. 21, 1952.
On that date, Vera’s unit was committed to assault and secure the right sector of “Old Baldy” and, although wounded in an earlier engagement, he voluntarily rejoined elements of the platoon regrouping at the base of the hill to resume the attack. Forging up the bare, rocky slope in skirmisher formation, the troops came within twenty yards of hostile positions when they were subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages and intense cross-fire from automatic weapons and grenades, which forced them to move back. He selflessly remained behind to cover the withdrawal and, maintaining a determined stand, poured crippling fire into enemy emplacements. During this action he lost his life.
In addition to the Medal of
Honor, Vera received the Distinguished Service Cross (this award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Mar. 18), Purple Heart, Army Good
Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with
two Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations
Service Medal, Republic of Korea-Korean War Service Medal, Wharang
Distinguished Military Service Medal with Silver Star.
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