HERRERA, SILVESTRE S. - Medal of Honor Recipient
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.
Browse Records by Era / War / Subject |
