SILVESTRE S HERRERA MEDAL OF HONOR MEMORIAL GRAVESTONE

PVT. HERRERA 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 HEROIEM, AND WILLING SELF-SACRIFICE DISPLAYED BY PVT. HERRERA RESULTED IN THE CAPTURE OF 2 ENEMY STRONGPOINTS AND THE TAKING OF 8 PRISONERS.