By Rudi Williams American Forces Information Service

WASHINGTON -- Five Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam were recently honored during a special tribute to Hispanic heroes in Washington.

Nine of the 38 Hispanic medal holders from all of America's conflicts are still alive. "The tribute is going to be an annual event to highlight Hispanic contributions to this country," said Tony Morales, executive director of the American GI Forum, which sponsored the event.

"Many of us have served who were not legal residents or citizens of the U.S. at the time. "We're highlighting all of our contributions by paying tribute to our heroes," Morales noted.

"Who better can call for equality and parity in our nation's society? That's the message. We have earned that right by coming to the defense of this country in time of war and time of peace."

The five Medal of Honor recipients were: o Former Army Staff Sgt. Lucian Adams, awarded the medal during World War II for gallantry on Oct. 28, 1944, during fierce fighting near St. Die, France. Adams was cited for killing nine German infantrymen, eliminating three enemy machine gun nests, vanquishing a specialized force armed with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, clearing the woods of hostile elements and reopening the severed supply lines to the assault companies of his battalion, the citation states. o Silvestre S. Herrera, a former Army private first class. He received the Medal of Honor for bravery on Sept. 5, 1945, when he made a one-man frontal assault on an enemy strong point and captured eight enemy soldiers.

As his platoon resumed its advance, Herrera "disregarded the danger of exploding mines to attack another enemy emplacement. 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 rifle fire until his unit skirted the minefield and destroyed the enemy," according to the citation. o Former Army Cpl. Rodolfo P. Hernandez. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action against the enemy near Wontong-ni, Korea, on May 31, 1951, during the Korean War. "Although wounded in an exchange of grenades, Hernandez continued to deliver deadly fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants until a reputed cartridge rendered his rifle inoperative. ... "Hernandez rushed the enemy armed only with rifle and bayonet. Fearlessly engaging the foe, he killed six of the enemy before falling unconscious from grenade, bayonet and bullet wounds," the medal's citation states. o Former Army Sgt. (then Pfc.) Joseph C. Rodriguez. He received the Medal of Honor for valor near Munye-ri, Korea, on May 21, 1951. "When his squad was halted by a withering barrage of automatic weapons and small arms fire from five emplacements, Rodriguez leaped to his fee, dashed 60 years up the fire-swept slope, and, after lobbing grenades into the first foxhole with deadly accuracy." He than, "ran around the left flank, silenced an automatic weapon with two grenades and continued his whirlwind assault to the top of the peak, wiping out two more foxholes. He then tossed grenades into the remaining emplacement, destroying the gun and annihilating its crew," the citation reads. o Former Army Warrant Officer (then Sgt.1st Class) Louis R. Rocco.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during a medical evacuation mission northeast of Katum, Vietnam, on May 24, 1970. According to the citation, Rocco volunteered for a mission to evacuate eight critically wounded South Vietnamese army personnel. As the rescue helicopter approached the landing zone, it was hit by intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, Rocco placed suppressive fire on the enemy position while the helicopter descended toward the landing zone. Enemy fire forced the aircraft to crash land causing Rocco a fractured wrist and hip and severely bruised back. "Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors from the burning wreckage, sustaining burns to his own body," the citation continued. "Despite intense enemy fire, Rocco carried each unconscious man across about 20 meters of exposed terrain to a friendly position.

He helped administer first aid until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose consciousness." Recalling his ordeal during World War II, Herrera said, "I lost both legs, but I kept on fighting them [German soldiers] on my stumps. I was more concerned about my men than myself. "I don't have any regrets. Even though you're wounded, you can still serve your country." Adams said having a Hispanic Heritage Month "ultimately results in patriotism. Our youth, adult Hispanic and the nation as a whole will learn what the Hispanics did for their country. It's an outstanding gathering of communications, understanding and patriotism." Alma Riojas Esparza, national chairwomen of the American GI Forum, said the Medal of Honor recipients were pleased to see, instead of a tribute just for them, the contribution of all veterans were being recognized. "The idea is, serving their country is an honor, and whoever serves his or her country is going beyond the call of duty," Esparza said. Hispanics are proud their participation in the military service and want to ensure their youth are not just educated, but also learn about the civic responsibilities of serving their country, she noted. "We're working with the Department of Defense promoting ROTC programs in high school and colleges that have a high concentration of Hispanics students," Esparza said. "We want our youth to be able to serve to the best of their abilities," Esparza said. "By getting basic skills, especially leadership skills, that are part of military training, we want to continue our tradition of service to our country. And we want to be able to do it at all ranks, from private to general."

When Herrera speaks at schools, his main message to youngsters is, "keep going to school, study hard, be honest and obey the laws of our country."

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