Mr. Silvestre S. Herrera

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

FULL CITATION INFORMATION

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 strong points and the taking of 8 prisoners.

More History

Silvestre's unit was operating in the vicinity of Mertzwiller, France when on March 15, 1945 events occured that changed Silvestre's life forever.  As his platoon was moving down a road they came under heavy enemy fire from the woods, forcing most of the men to seek cover.  Not Silvestre.  His one man charge on the enemy stronghold ended the threat and resulted in his single-handed capture of 8 enemy soldiers.  But Silvestre's day was just beginning.

The immediate threat ended, the platoon continued down the road.  Suddenly they came under fire again, from a second enemy stronghold.  This time a mine field stood between the soldiers and the enemy gun emplacement.  The pinned down platoon was at the mercy of the enemy guns.....Silvestre's fellow soldiers were helpless before inevitable disaster.  With incredible courage the young PFC stood to his feet and entered the mine field to attack the enemy.  Mines exploded around him but he continued on, attempting to not only attack the enemy but to draw their fire away from his comrades.  Suddenly a mine exploded beneath him, severing his leg below the knee.  Enemy fire continued to rake the field as Silvestre collapsed to the ground, then struggled back up on his one good leg and the shattered remains of the other to continue the attack.

Private Herrera couldn't be stopped.  He was determine to attack the enemy that threatened to destroy his platoon.  Then another mine exploded, this one beneath his remaining good leg, severing it below the knee.  Unable to continue his advance, despite intense pain and the unchecked bleeding of the stumps below his knees, Silvestre lay in the minefield to pin down the enemy while others of his platoon skirted the minefield to flank and capture the enemy.   Later Silvestre said, "I was protecting my squad with a machinegun.  I was trying to draw their fire.  I stepped on one (land mine), it blew me up.   Then I stepped on another one with another foot.  I was fighting them on my knees."

Silvestre's courage and fighting spirit became legendary, but it also presented the United States with a problem.   The young hero STILL was not an American citizen.  As he recovered from the loss of both feet, an intense program began to grant Silvestre Herrera United States Citizenship.  Then too, there were concerns about his health.  President Truman wasn't sure the young hero was well enough for a formal presentation of the award for which he had been submitted.  After all, the young man had lost both legs.

While recovering from wounds at an Army hospital, it was suggested that Silvestre call home to let his family know he had survived and would be coming home.  Sheepishly Silvestre admitted that the family was so poor they didn't even have a telephone.  Finally a call was placed to a third party to get the message to his family.  But before Silvestre went home a special event awaited him.  To the President's surprise, Silvestre WAS well enough.  Five months earlier the loss of two legs couldn't stop the fearless soldier from fighting to protect his platoon, and it wouldn't stand in his way now.  On August 23, 1945 Silvestre wheeled his wheel chair across the White House lawn so the President could present him with the Medal of Honor.

Silvestre became the first soldier from Arizona to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II, and returned to a hero's welcome.  The citizens of his home state raised $14,000 to provide him and his growing family with a new home.  Eventually he had three more children, and today is the grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of 2. 

A year after Silvestre received his adopted Nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor, the Nation of his birth took the unprecedented step of awarding him its highest award for valor the "Premier Merito Militar".  Today Silvestre wears both with pride; he is the only living person in the world authorized to wear the Medal of Honor and Mexico's equivilant.   Silvestre is proud of his Mexican birth and heritage, and equally proud to be a citizen of the United States of America.  His home town has named an elementary school for him.  His service both during World War II as a soldier, and as a patriot since that fateful period of his life, have brought him continued honors and distinction.   Still he remains a humble man, proud not so much of his own achievements, but proud of both his heritage and his citizenship.

Today Silvestre calls himself a "retired leather worker and silversmith."  The many neighborhood children he invites to see his work in the garage of his home are sure to doubt the "retired" part.  Silvestre is a man who never stops.  Despite the prosthesis that replace the legs he lost in World War II, he goes dancing every week.  He is a frequent guest at service clubs and speaks passionately about the privilages of United States citizenship to students at schools wherever he finds the opportunity.  He is a dedicated American and a true hero.

He seldom speaks of his own hardships.  Regarding the loss of both legs he says, "I coped with my disability very well.  I wasn't sorry for it.   I felt that I didn't want anybody to be sorry for me.  I lived a very happy life."

(History from - http://www.homeofheroes.com/profiles/profiles_herrera.html)