VIETNAM
WAR - ARMY
1959-1973
Approximately 80,000 Hispanics served with distinction in Vietnam, from the Battle
for Hue City to the Siege of Khe Sanh. In
addition to their exemplary wartime contributions in Vietnam and later in operations in Panama, Grenada,
Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, Hispanic men and
women also served with distinction in the Army during peacetime. A
Hispanic Soldier who achieved considerable success was Louis Caldera, a
Hispanic who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1978. He
subsequently served in the Army and became secretary of the Army in 1998.
MEDAL OF HONOR
RECIPIENTS
Baca,
John P.
BACA
Rank and
Organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S.
Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st
Cavalry Division.
Entered service at:
Fort Ord, Calif.
Place and Date:
Phuoc Long
Province, Republic of Vietnam,
10 February 1970.
Birth: Providence, R.l., 10
January 1949.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Baca, Company D,
distinguished himself while serving on a recoilless rifle team during a
night ambush mission A platoon from his company was sent to investigate the
detonation of an automatic ambush device forward of his unit’s main
position and soon came under intense enemy fire from concealed positions
along the trail. Hearing the heavy firing from the platoon position and
realizing that his recoilless rifle team could assist the members of the
besieged patrol, Sp4c. Baca led his team through the hail of enemy fire
to a firing position within the patrol’s defensive perimeter. As they
prepared to engage the enemy, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into the
midst of the patrol. Fully aware of the danger to his comrades, Sp4c.
Baca unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety,
covered the grenade with his steel helmet and fell on it as the grenade
exploded, thereby absorbing the lethal fragments and concussion with his
body. His gallant action and total disregard for his personal well-being
directly saved 8 men from certain serious injury or death. The
extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sp4c. Baca, at the
risk of his life, are in the highest traditions of the military service
and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Medal received from: Richard Nixon, June 15, 1971.
Benavidez, Roy P.
BENAVIDEZ
Rank and
Organization: Master Sergeant, Detachment B-56, 5th
Special Forces Group, Republic
of Vietnam.
Entered service at:
Houston, Texas June 1955.
Place and Date:
West of Loc Ninh on 2 May 1968.
Birth: DeWitt County,
Cuero, Texas, 5 August 1935.
CITATION
Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. Benavidez United States
Army, who distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely
valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th
Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 May
1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by
helicopters in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam
to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy
activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North
Vietnamese Army. After a short period of time on the ground, the team met
heavy enemy resistance, and requested emergency extraction. Three
helicopters attempted extraction, but were unable to land due to intense
enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire. Sergeant Benavidez was at the
Forward Operating Base in Loc Ninh monitoring the operation by radio when
these helicopters returned to off-load wounded crewmembers and to assess
aircraft damage. Sergeant Benavidez voluntarily boarded a returning
aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that all the
team members were either dead or wounded and unable to move to the pickup
zone, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing where he jumped from
the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under withering
small arms fire to the crippled team. Prior to reaching the team’s
position he was wounded in his right leg, face, and head. Despite these
painful injuries, he took charge, repositioning the team members and
directing their fire to facilitate the landing of an extraction aircraft,
and the loading of wounded and dead team members. He then threw smoke
canisters to direct the aircraft to the team’s position. Despite his
severe wounds and under intense enemy fire, he carried and dragged half
of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft. He then provided
protective fire by running alongside the aircraft as it moved to pick up
the remaining team members. As the enemy’s fire intensified, he hurried
to recover the body and classified documents on the dead team leader. When
he reached the leader’s body, Sergeant Benavidez was severely wounded by
small arms fire in the abdomen and grenade fragments in his back. At
nearly the same moment, the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded, and his
helicopter crashed. Although in extremely critical condition due to his
multiple wounds, Sergeant Benavidez secured the classified documents and
made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the
overturned aircraft, and gathered the stunned survivors into a defensive
perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he
moved around the perimeter distributing water and ammunition to his weary
men, reinstilling in them a will to live and fight. Facing a buildup of
enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Sergeant Benavidez mustered his
strength, began calling in tactical air strikes and directed the fire
from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy’s fire and so permit
another extraction attempt. He was wounded again in his thigh by small
arms fire while administering first aid to a wounded team member just
before another extraction helicopter was able to land. His indomitable
spirit kept him going as he began to ferry his comrades to the craft. On
his second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from additional wounds
to his head and arms before killing his adversary. He then continued
under devastating fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon
reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were
rushing the craft from an angle that prevented the aircraft door gunner
from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last
trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been
collected or destroyed, and to bring in the remaining wounded. Only then,
in extremely serious condition from numerous wounds and loss of blood,
did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. Sergeant
Benavidez’ gallant choice to join voluntarily his comrades who were in
critical straits, to expose himself constantly to withering enemy fire,
and his refusal to be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the
lives of at least eight men. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious
devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming
odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service,
and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.
Rubio, Euripides
EURIPIDES
Rank and
Organization: Captain,
U.S.
Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 28th
Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, RVN.
Entered service at:
Fort Buchanan,
Puerto Rico.
Place and Date:
Tay Ninh
Province, Republic of Vietnam,
8 November 1966.
Birth: Ponce, Puerto Rico,
1 March 1938.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Rubio, Infantry, was
serving as communications officer, 1st Battalion, when a
numerically superior enemy force launched a massive attack against the
battalion defense position. Intense enemy machinegun fire raked the area
while mortar rounds and rifle grenades exploded within the perimeter.
Leaving the relative safety of his post, Capt. Rubio received 2 serious
wounds as he braved the withering fire to go to the area of most intense
action where he distributed ammunition, re-established positions and
rendered aid to the wounded. Disregarding the painful wounds, he
unhesitatingly assumed command when a rifle company commander was
medically evacuated. Capt. Rubio was wounded a third time as he
selflessly exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire to move among
his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort. While aiding the
evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a smoke grenade which was
intended to mark the Viet Cong position for air strikes had fallen
dangerously close to the friendly lines. Capt. Rubio ran to reposition
the grenade but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire.
Despite his several wounds, Capt. Rubio scooped up the grenade, ran
through the deadly hail of fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position
and hurled the already smoking grenade into the midst of the enemy before
he fell for the final time. Using the repositioned grenade as a marker,
friendly air strikes were directed to destroy the hostile positions.
Capt. Rubio’s singularly heroic act turned the tide of battle, and his extraordinary
leadership and valor were a magnificent inspiration to his men. His
remarkable bravery and selfless concern for his men are in keeping with
the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit
on Capt. Rubio and the U.S. Army.
Fernandez, Daniel
FERNANDEZ
Rank and
Organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S.
Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry
(Mechanized) 25th Infantry Division.
Entered service at:
Albuquerque, N. Mex.
Place and Date: Cu Chi, Hau Nghia
Province, Republic of Vietnam,
18 February 1966.
Birth: Albuquerque, N. Mex.
c.o. No.: 21, 30 June 1944.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fernandez demonstrated
indomitable courage when the patrol was ambushed by a Viet Cong rifle
company and driven back by the intense enemy automatic weapons fire
before it could evacuate an American soldier who had been wounded in the
Viet Cong attack. Sp4c. Fernandez, a sergeant and 2 other volunteers
immediately fought their way through devastating fire and exploding
grenades to reach the fallen soldier. Upon reaching their fallen comrade
the sergeant was struck in the knee by machinegun fire and immobilized.
Sp4c. Fernandez took charge, rallied the left flank of his patrol and
began to assist in the recovery of the wounded sergeant. While first aid
was being administered to the wounded man, a sudden increase in the
accuracy and intensity of enemy fire forced the volunteer group to take
cover. As they did, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the group,
although some men did not see it. Realizing there was no time for the
wounded sergeant or the other men to protect themselves from the grenade
blast, Sp4c. Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and threw
himself on the grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of his 4 comrades
at the sacrifice of his life. Sp4c. Fernandez’ profound concern for his
fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great
credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Lozada, Carlos James
LOZADA
Rank and
Organization: Private
First Class, U.S.
Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade.
Entered service at:
New York, N.Y.
Place and Date:
Dak To, Republic
of Vietnam, 20
November 1967.
Birth: Caguas, puerto Rico,
6 September 1946.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Lozada, U.S. Army,
distinguished himself at the risk of his life above and beyond the call
of duty in the battle of Dak To. While serving as a machine gunner with 1st
platoon, Company A, Pfc. Lozada was part of a 4-man early warning
outpost, located 35 meters from his company’s lines. At 1400 hours a
North Vietnamese Army company rapidly approached the outpost along a well
defined trail. Pfc. Lozada alerted his comrades and commenced firing at
the enemy who were within 10 meters of the outpost. His heavy and
accurate machinegun fire killed at least 20 North Vietnamese soldiers and
completely disrupted their initial attack. Pfc. Lozada remained in an
exposed position and continued to pour deadly fire upon the enemy despite
the urgent pleas of his comrades to withdraw. The enemy continued their
assault, attempting to envelop the outpost. At the same time enemy forces
launched a heavy attack on the forward west flank of Company A with the
intent to cut them off from their battalion. Company A was given the
order to withdraw. Pfc. Lozada apparently realized that if he abandoned
his position there would be nothing to hold back the surging North Vietnamese
soldiers and that the entire company withdrawal would be jeopardized. He
called for his comrades to move back and that he would stay and provide
cover for them. He made this decision realizing that the enemy was
converging on 3 sides of his position and only meters away, and a delay
in withdrawal meant almost certain death. Pfc. Lozada continued to
deliver a heavy, accurate volume of suppressive fire against the enemy
until he was mortally wounded and had to be carried during the
withdrawal. His heroic deed served as an example and an inspiration to
his comrades throughout the ensuing 4-day battle. Pfc. Lozada’s actions
are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Rascon, Alfred
RASCON
Rank and
Organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army,
Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion
(Airborne), 503rd Infantry,173d Airborne Brigade (Separate).
Place and Date:
Republic of
Vietnam, 16 March
1966.
Birth: Chihuahua, Mexico, 1945. (Date Unknown)
CITATION
Specialist Four Alfred Rascon, distinguished himself by a series of extraordinarily
courageous acts on 16 March 1966, while assigned as a medic to the
Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion
(Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). While
moving to reinforce its sister battalion under intense enemy attack, the
Reconnaissance Platoon came under heavy fire from a numerically superior
enemy force. The intense enemy fire from crew-served weapons and grenades
severely wounded several point squad soldiers. Specialist Rascon,
ignoring directions to stay behind shelter until covering fire could be
provided, made his way forward. He repeatedly tried to reach the severely
wounded point machine-gunner laying on an open enemy trail, but was driven
back each time by the withering fire. Disregarding his personal safety,
he jumped to his feet, ignoring flying bullets and exploding grenades to
reach his comrade. To protect him from further wounds, he intentionally
placed his body between the soldier and enemy machine guns, sustaining
numerous shrapnel injuries and a serious wound to the hip. Disregarding
his serious wounds he dragged the larger soldier from the fire-raked
trail. Hearing the second machine-gunner yell that he was running out of
ammunition, Specialist Rascon, under heavy enemy fire crawled back to the
wounded machine-gunner stripping him of his bandoleers of ammunition,
giving them to the machine-gunner who continued his suppressive fire.
Specialist Rascon fearing the abandoned machine gun, its ammunition and
spare barrel could fall into enemy hands made his way to retrieve them.
On the way, he was wounded in the face and torso by grenade fragments,
but disregarded these wounds to recover the abandoned machine gun,
ammunition and spare barrel items, enabling another soldier to provide
added suppressive fire to the pinned-down squad. In searching for the
wounded, he saw the point grenadier being wounded by small arms fire and
grenades being thrown at him. Disregarding his own life and his numerous
wounds, Specialist Rascon reached and covered him with his body absorbing
the blasts from the exploding grenades, and saving the soldier’s life,
but sustaining additional wounds to his body. While making his way to the
wounded point squad leader, grenades were hurled at the sergeant. Again,
in complete disregard for his own life, he reached and covered the
sergeant with his body, absorbing the full force of the grenade
explosions. Once more Specialist Rascon was critically wounded by
shrapnel, but disregarded his own wounds to continue to search and aid
the wounded. Severely wounded, he remained on the battlefield, inspiring
his fellow soldiers to continue the battle. After the enemy broke
contact, he disregarded aid for himself, instead treating the wounded and
directing their evacuation. Only after being placed on the evacuation
helicopter did he allow aid to be given to him. Specialist Rascon’s
extraordinary valor in the face of deadly enemy fire, his heroism in
rescuing the wounded, and his gallantry by repeatedly risking his own
life for his fellow soldiers are in keeping with the highest traditions
of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and
the United States Army.
Rocco, Louis R.
ROCCO
Rank and
Organization: Warrant Officer (then Sergeant First Class), U.S. Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S.
Military Assistance Command.
Entered service at:
Los Angeles, Calif.
Place and Date:
Northeast of Katum, Rep. of Vietnam, 24 May 1970.
Birth: Albuquerque, N.
Mex., 19 November 1938.
CITATION
WO Rocco distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany a
medical evacuation team on an urgent mission to evacuate 8 critically
wounded Army of the Republic
of Vietnam
personnel. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it became the
target for intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Disregarding his own
safety, WO Rocco identified and placed accurate suppressive fire on the
enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward the landing zone.
Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft was forced to
crash land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist and hip and a
severely bruised back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors
from the burning wreckage, sustaining burns to his own body. Despite
intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each unconscious man across
approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam perimeter. On each trip,
his severely burned hands and broken wrist caused excruciating pain, but
the lives of the unconscious crash survivors were more important than his
personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue efforts. Once inside the
friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first aid to his wounded
comrades until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose
consciousness. His bravery under fire and intense devotion to duty were
directly responsible for saving 3 of his fellow soldiers from certain
death. His unparalleled bravery in the face of enemy fire, his complete
disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his performance were far
above and beyond the call of duty and were in keeping with the highest
traditions of self-sacrifice and courage of the military service.
COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
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