Long overdue Medals of Honor to be awarded to 17 Hispanics

voxxiBy Grace Flores-Hughes, Voxxi

President Barack Obama will be honoring a total of 17 Hispanics (15 posthumous and 2 alive) with the Medal of Honor on March 18th, reminding us that the men and women who serve this country come from different backgrounds.

Hispanics fight for America

People of Hispanic origin have fought in America’s wars since 1775, the start of the War of Independence. Although the first Hispanics to fight for America may not have been American citizens per se, their devotion to America’s future is well documented.

Take for example, General Bernardo de Galvez, the Spanish governor of the Louisiana territories. He fought with the revolutionists by helping the blockade of British ships and to date a statue of General de Galvez is found in a prominent location in Washington, D.C.

The presence of Spanish influence in American conflicts continued with the bravery of the Farragut’s, Jorge and David. Jorge Farragut helped the colonists in the Revolutionary War and also played a major role in the War of 1812.

His son David fought in the Civil War and was commissioned the first Admiral of the U.S. Navy by Congress in 1866. It was Admiral Farragut while leading Union Naval Forces who made the famous quote, “Damn the torpedoes-full speed ahead!”

Hispanic presence in the U.S. military

Hispanic presence is evident in all wars and conflicts that followed. In the Mexican-American War, Lt. Colonel Juan Seguin fought in the Battle of the Alamo and was the lone survivor of that battle because he was the one ordered to go out and seek reinforcements.

The U.S. Civil War produced the first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient, Corporal Joseph H. De Castro who distinguished himself at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

The Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration for valor in combat and the conditions that must be met for receiving the award are extremely difficult. After Corporal De Castro, many more soldiers of Hispanic origin have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

During the Spanish-American War, one of the leading “Rough Riders” with Theodore Roosevelt was Captain Maximiliano Luna, a direct descendent of Spanish conquistadors. And during the Boxer Rebellion, where American troops fought to help the Ch’ing dynasty remain in power, a Hayward, California native, France Silva, was awarded the Medal of Honor.

During World War I

Several hundred more Hispanic Americans served; among them was Private David Barkley Cantu of Laredo Texas who became a Medal of Honor recipient because he volunteered to swim a river to gather information on an enemy force. Sadly while swimming back, Barley Cantu got cramps and drowned.

During World War II

Thousands of Hispanic Americans signed up and by the end of the war, thirteen of those fighting men became Medal of Honor recipients. Hispanics went on to serve in Korea and Vietnam, where they earned more Medals of Honor.

There may have been more Americans of Hispanic descent that fought in America’s wars but because the military didn’t fully document the background of those that served especially those of Hispanic origin who were often classified as White/Caucasian, data was sketchy and inconclusive.

It wasn’t until the Vietnam War that more precise data began to be collected on the background of military personnel.  This wasn’t necessarily a problem for those that fought except when it came to being recognized for their bravery, which brings us to present time military action and recognition.

For years after World War II, reports surfaced that the brave actions of soldiers might have been ignored because of the lack of regard for their race and ethnicity.

Minorities to receive overdue Medal of Honor

After complaints from veteran groups and family members, Congress, through its 2002 National Defense Authorization Act, directed the military in 2002 to review the records of Jewish, Black and Hispanic Americans who received a Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars for possible upgrade to Medal of Honor because their war heroics may have been downplayed due to their racial or ethnic backgrounds.

Interestingly, after reviewing the cases of 6,505 DSC recipients, the Army found that 600 soldiers of African-American, Jewish and Hispanic background could be eligible for upgrade. Ultimately after a lengthy and painstaking review, out of that 600 number, 24 were recommended for upgrade.

On March 18, 2014, President Obama will pin the Medal of Honor on 3 recipients; Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, an African American of Cocoa, Fla., commended for his heroic actions during combat operations on Sept. 17, 1969, in the area of Chi Lang, South Vietnam. Spec. 4 Santiago J. Erevia, of San Antonio is cited for his heroic action during a search and clear mission near Tam Ky, South Vietnam, on May 21, 1969. And Sgt. 1stClass Jose Rodela also of San Antonio is cited for his heroic action during combat operations in Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam, on Sept., 1, 1969.

The remaining 21 Medal of Honor recipients are deceased and will be represented at the ceremony by designated relatives.

Among the 24 recipients, 17 are of Hispanic origin, raising the number of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients to an impressive total of 61.

It’s evident, that persons of Hispanic origins have played a significant role in the military conflicts initiated to defend  America , yet for a time Hispanics, particularly Mexican-Americans, were lynched, beaten, and denied their basic rights to exist in the very country they were defending with their lives.

In one particular incident, World War II Veteran Sgt. Macario Garcia was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman, only to be denied service a few days later in a Houston area restaurant because of his ethnicity. This unfortunate incident wasn’t isolated. Many returning World War II Hispanic soldiers faced this same kind of discrimination.

Yet Americans of Hispanic origin have served and fought America’s wars because of their love of this Country. They continue to salute Old Glory, press their right hand against their chests when the Star Spangled Banner is played and don their uniforms with pride.

This article was originally published in Voxxi.

Over 3 decades, Grace has served in the administration of three presidents, including that of President George W. Bush who appointed her to the Federal Service Impasses Panel. In 2011 she published her memoir, A Tale of Survival.

[Photo courtesy of US Army]

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