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List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Ortega meda of Honor
Reverse of the Medal of Honor awarded to Seaman John Ortega

The Medal of Honor is the highest award a military member can receive in the United States. It was first given out during the American Civil War. To earn it, a person must show incredible bravery and risk their own life in a fight against an enemy. Because of how special it is, the medal is often given to heroes after they have passed away.

So far, 61 brave men of Hispanic background have received the Medal of Honor. Most of these heroes, 46 of them, served in the United States Army. Thirteen were in the United States Marine Corps, and two were in the United States Navy. Forty-two of these medals were given after the person had died.

The very first Hispanic recipient was Corporal Joseph H. De Castro. He earned his medal on July 3, 1863, during the American Civil War. He was part of the Union Army. The most recent Hispanic recipient is Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry, for his actions in Afghanistan. In 1864, Seaman John Ortega became the first Hispanic in the U.S. Navy to receive the medal. Then, in 1900, Private France Silva became the first Hispanic in the U.S. Marine Corps to earn it.

On March 18, 2014, President Barack Obama honored 17 Hispanic veterans with the Medal of Honor. This happened after a special review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans. The review looked at those who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It made sure that everyone deserving of the medal received it, with no unfair treatment.

Fifteen of these heroes were born outside the mainland United States. This includes one from Chile, one from Spain, five from Mexico, and eight from Puerto Rico. Seaman Philip Bazaar from Chile and Seaman John Ortega from Spain received their medals in 1865. Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia was the first recipient born in Mexico. PFC Fernando Luis Garcia was the first from Puerto Rico. 1st Lt. Rudolph B. Davila, who had Hispanic and Filipino roots, was the only person of Filipino ancestry to get the medal for his bravery in World War II in Europe. Private Joe P. Martinez was the first Hispanic-American to receive the medal after his death for fighting on American soil during World War II. 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez is the only Hispanic graduate of the United States Naval Academy to earn this honor. Captain Humbert Roque Versace was the first Army prisoner of war (POW) to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions while captured during the Vietnam War.

What Does "Hispanic" Mean?

The word "Hispanic" describes people in the United States who have ancestors from Spain or from Spanish-speaking countries in Central or South America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or Cuba. It's about their family background, not their race or religion. The three largest Hispanic groups in the U.S. are Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans.

Heroes of the American Civil War

Three Hispanic Americans earned the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. Two were sailors in the Union Navy, and one was a soldier in the 19th Massachusetts Infantry. They showed great courage during this important time in American history.

Bravery in the Boxer Rebellion

During the Boxer Rebellion in China, only one Hispanic American received the Medal of Honor. This was France Silva, who was recognized for his "meritorious conduct," meaning he acted with great skill and honor.

World War I Hero

Only one Hispanic American received the Medal of Honor during World War I. This was Private David B. Barkley, who showed incredible bravery in France.

World War II Heroes

Many Hispanic Americans served bravely in World War II. Several of them earned the Medal of Honor for their outstanding actions. They fought in different parts of the world, from Europe to the Pacific, showing courage and sacrifice.

Korean War Heroes

During the Korean War, Hispanic Americans continued to serve with distinction. Many received the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions in difficult battles.

Vietnam War Heroes

The Vietnam War saw many Hispanic Americans display immense bravery. A number of them were awarded the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary courage and sacrifice in combat.

War in Afghanistan Hero

In the recent War in Afghanistan, one Hispanic American has received the Medal of Honor. This was Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry, who showed exceptional heroism.

Awards by Military Branch

This table shows how many Medals of Honor have been given to Hispanic Americans in each branch of the military. It also shows how many were given after the person had passed away (posthumously) or in person.

Awards by branch of service
Military
branch		 Posthumously In person Number of
awards
Army 30 16 46
Marines 11 2 13
Navy 0 2 2
Total 41 20 61

Note: The information in this table comes from the detailed list of recipients.

Images for kids

  • David Barkley

    A head and shoulders portrait of a young, cleanshaven man in a formal military uniform, wearing a hat.

  • Adams Lucian MOH

    Lucian Adams

  • Pedro Cano portrait

    Pedro Cano

  • Rudolph B. Davila

    Rudolph B. Davila

  • JoeGandaraMilitaryPortrait209px

    Joe Gandara

  • Marcario Garcia

    Marcario Garcia

  • Gonsalves H USMC (cropped)

    Harold Gonsalves

  • David Gonzalez

    David M. Gonzales

  • Herrera-MOH-crop

    Silvestre S. Herrera

  • SalvadorJLara243px

    Salvador J. Lara

  • Jose M. Lopez

    Jose M. Lopez

  • Joe P. Martinez

    Joe P. Martinez

  • ManuelVMendoza243

    Manuel V. Mendoza

  • Manuel Perez

    Manuel Perez Jr.

  • CletoRodriguez

    Cleto L. Rodriguez

  • Alejandro Ruiz

    Alejandro R. Ruiz

  • Jose F. Valdez

    Jose F. Valdez

  • Ysmael Villegas

    Ysmael R. Villegas

  • JoeRBaldonado150

    Joe R. Baldonado

  • VictorHEspinoza150

    Victor H. Espinoza

  • Fernando Luis Garcia, USMC

    A head and shoulders portrait of a young, cleanshaven man with dark hair.

  • Gomez E USMC

    Edward Gomez

  • EduardoCGomez243

    Eduardo C. Gomez

  • Guillen A

    Ambrosio Guillen

  • Rodolfo Hernandez

    Rodolfo P. Hernandez

  • Baldomero Lopez - portrait

    Baldomero Lopez

  • Benito Martinez2

    Benito Martinez

  • Juan-negron-united-states-army-medal-of-honor

    Juan E. Negrón

  • Obregon EA

    Eugene Arnold Obregon

  • MikeCPena243

    Mike C. Pena

  • Demensio Rivera

    Demensio Rivera

  • Joseph Rodriguez

    Joseph C. Rodriguez

  • Miguel-vera-united-states-army-medal-of-honor

    Miguel A. Vera

  • LeonardLAlvarado243

    Leonard L. Alvarado

  • Benavidez

    Roy P. Benavidez

  • Felix-conde-falcon-united-states-army-medal-of-honor

    Felix M. Conde-Falcon

  • Delagarza EA

    Emilio A. De La Garza

  • Dias RE USMC

    Ralph E. Dias

  • JesusSDuran243

    Jesus S. Duran

  • President Barack H. Obama, background, presents a Medal of Honor to former U.S. Army Sgt. Santiago J. Erevia during a ceremony March 18, 2014, in the White House in Washington, D.C. Erevia received the award for 140318-A-KH856-004

    Santiago J. Erevia

  • Daniel Fernandez

    Daniel D. Fernández

  • CandelarioGarcia243

    Candelario Garcia

  • Sgt Freddy Gonzalez

    Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez

  • Jimenez JF

    Jose Francisco Jimenez

  • Miguel Keith, USMC

    Miguel Keith

  • Carlos Lozada

    Carlos Lozada

  • Alfred Rascon

    Alfred V. Rascon

  • Louis Rocco

    Louis R. Rocco

  • President Barack H. Obama, left, presents a Medal of Honor to former U.S. Army Master Sgt. Jose Rodela during a ceremony March 18, 2014, in the White House in Washington, D.C. The former Soldier received 140318-A-KH856-008

    Jose Rodela

  • Euripides Rubio

    Euripides Rubio

  • HectorSantiagoColon

    Hector Santiago-Colon

  • E.Rodrigues Smith

    Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith

  • Vargas USMC MOH

    Jay R. Vargas

  • MOH Versace

    Humbert Roque Versace

  • MaximoYabes

    Maximo Yabes

  • Leroy A Petry

    Leroy Petry

See also

  • List of Medal of Honor recipients
  • Puerto Rican recipients of the Medal of Honor
  • Hispanic Americans in World War II
  • Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps
  • Hispanics in the United States Navy
  • Hispanics in the United States Coast Guard
  • Hispanics in the American Civil War
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