On March 18th, 2014, President Barack Obama will award 24
Army veterans the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. These
veterans will receive the Medal of Honor in recognition of their valor
during major combat operations in World War II, the Korean War and the
Vietnam War. Each of these Soldiers’ bravery was previously recognized
by award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest
military award; that award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor in
recognition of their gallantry, intrepidity and heroism above and beyond
the call of duty.
In 2002, Congress, through the Defense Authorization Act, called for a
review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veteran war records
from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, to ensure those deserving
the Medal of Honor were not denied because of prejudice. During the
review, records of several Soldiers of neither Jewish nor Hispanic
descent were also found to display criteria worthy of the Medal of
Honor. The 2002 Act was amended to allow these Soldiers to be honored
with the upgrade - in addition to the Jewish and Hispanic American
Soldiers.
The 24 recipients of the Medal of Honor follow below.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
The President will award the Medal of Honor to:
Specialist Four Santiago J. Erevia will receive the Medal of Honor
for his courageous actions while serving as radio telephone operator in
Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne
Division (Airmobile) during search and clear mission near Tam Ky,
Republic of Vietnam.
Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris will receive the Medal of Honor for his
courageous actions while serving as Commander of a Strike Force drawn
from Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces,
during combat operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Chi
Lang, Republic of Vietnam on September 17, 1969.
Sergeant First Class Jose Rodela will receive the Medal of Honor for
his courageous actions while serving as the company commander,
Detachment B-36, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st
Special Forces during combat operations against an armed enemy in Phuoc
Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on September 1, 1969.
The President will posthumously award the Medal of Honor to:
The following individuals distinguished themselves by acts of
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while
serving during the Vietnam War
Sergeant Candelario Garcia will receive the Medal of Honor for his
courageous actions while serving as an acting Team Leader for Company B,
1st Battalion, 2d Infantry, 1st Brigade,1st Infantry Division during
combat operations against an armed enemy in Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam
on December 8, 1968.
Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a Rifleman with
Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
during combat operations against an armed enemy in Phuoc Long Province,
Republic of Vietnam on August 12, 1969.
Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an acting
Platoon Leader in Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, 3d
Brigade, 82d Airborne Division during combat operations against an armed
enemy in Ap Tan Hoa, Republic of Vietnam on April 4, 1969.
Specialist Four Ardie R. Copas will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a Machinegunner
in Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th
Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy near
Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia on May 12, 1970.
Specialist Four Jesus S. Duran will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an acting M-60
machinegunner in Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry
Division (Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed enemy in
the Republic of Vietnam on April 10, 1969.
The following individuals distinguished themselves by acts of
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while
serving during the Korean War.
Corporal Joe R. Baldonado will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an acting
machine gunner in 3d Squad, 2d Platoon, Company B, 187th Airborne
Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in
Kangdong, Korea on November 25, 1950.
Corporal Victor H. Espinoza will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an Acting
Rifleman in Company A, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
during combat operations against an armed enemy in Chorwon, Korea on
August 1, 1952.
Sergeant Eduardo C. Gomez will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving with Company I,
8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations
against an armed enemy in Tabu-dong, Korea on September 3, 1950.
Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz will receive the Medal of
Honor posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an
assistant machinegunner with Company M, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th
Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in
Yangpyong, Korea on March 6 and 7, 1951.
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a member of
Company L, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat
operations against an armed enemy in Kalma-Eri, Korea on April 28, 1951.
Master Sergeant Mike C. Pena will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a member of
Company F, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat
operations against an armed enemy in Waegwan, Korea, on September 4,
1950.
Private Demensio Rivera will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously
for his courageous actions while serving as an automatic rifleman with
2d Platoon, Company G, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division
during combat operations against an armed enemy in Changyong-ni, Korea
on May 23, 1951.
Private 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.
Sergeant Jack Weinstein will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously
for his courageous actions while leading 1st Platoon, Company G, 21st
Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in Kumsong, Korea on October
19, 1951.
The following individuals distinguished themselves by acts of
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while
serving during World War II.
Private Pedro Cano will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for
his courageous actions while serving with Company C, 8th Infantry
Regiment, 4th Infantry Division during combat operations against an
armed enemy in Schevenhutte, Germany on December 3, 1944.
Private Joe Gandara will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for
his courageous actions while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 507th
Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division during combat
operations against an armed enemy in Amfreville, France on June 9,
1944.
Private First Class Salvador J. Lara will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as the Squad
Leader of a rifle squad with 2d Platoon, Company L, 180th Infantry, 45th
Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in
Aprilia, Italy on May 27 and 28, 1944.
Sergeant William F. Leonard will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a Squad Leader
in Company C, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division during combat
operations against an armed enemy near St. Die, France on November 7,
1944.
Staff Sergeant Manuel V. Mendoza will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a Platoon
Sergeant with Company B, 350th Infantry, 88th Infantry Division during
combat operations against an armed enemy on Mt. Battaglia, Italy on
October 4, 1944.
Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as a section
leader for Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
during combat operations against an armed enemy in Heistern, Germany on
November 18, 1944.
First Lieutenant Donald K. Schwab will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as the Commander
of Company E, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, during
combat operations against an armed enemy near Lure, France on September
17, 1944.
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