¡¿Que se cree Donald Trump?! In extensive interviews with Michael D’Antonio, his biographer and Pulitzer Prize-winning former reporter at Newsday, Trump likened his education at the ritzy New York Military Academy, military service. And although he has never served, Trump claims he has “more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military.” ? But has he ever done anything close to what these brave Latinos have done to protect our country and freedoms? Let’s take a moment to honor these heroes.
Fernando Luis García – Korean War
Photo Credit: U.S. Marines
Birthplace: Utuado, Puerto Rico
Garcia threw himself on a grenade to save his fellow Marine after their unit was ambushed. He was the first Puerto Rican to receive a Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor Awarded: Sept. 5, 1952
Mike Pena – Korean War
Photo Credit: U.S. Army
Birthplace: Corpus Christi, Texas
Realizing that his unit’s ammunition was low, Pena told his men to retreat. He spent the entire night single-handedly keeping the enemy at bay before he was killed.
Medal of Honor Awarded: March 18, 2014
Carlos Lozada – Vietnam War
Photo Credit: U.S. Marines
Birthplace: Caguas, Puerto Rico
Realizing he was the last line of defense, Lozada provided cover for soldiers after their unit was attacked. He killed at least 20 North Vietnamese soldiers before being fatally wounded.
Medal of Honor Awarded: Nov. 20, 1967
Eurípides Rubio – Vietnam War
Photo Credit: U.S. Army
Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Rubio handed out ammunition, took over for a fallen machine gun operator and used a smoke grenade to show air support the location of the enemy during an ambush. Rubio died in action.
Medal of Honor Awarded: Nov. 8, 1966
Humbert Roque Versace – Vietnam War
Photo Credit: U.S. Army
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
Versace refused to talk after being captured by the Viet Cong, who then executed him. Prisoners said the last thing they heard from Versace was him singing “God Bless America.”
Medal of Honor Awarded: July 8, 2002
José Jiménez – Vietnam War
Photo Credit: U.S. Marines
Birthplace: Mexico City
Jiménez took on the enemy alone, destroying enemy weapons and troops before being fatally wounded.
Medal of Honor Awarded: Aug. 28, 1969
Héctor Santiago-Colón – Vietnam War
Photo Credit: U.S. Army
Birthplace: Salina, Puerto Rico
Santiago-Colón spotted a grenade that had been thrown at his unit during a late-night battle. He grabbed the grenade, put it into his shirt and turned away from his unit, taking the full impact of the blast.
Medal of Honor Awarded: June 28, 1968
Ambrosio Guillen – Korean War
Photo Credit: U.S. Marines
Birthplace: La Junta, Colorado
Guillen’s unit was pinned down by two enemy platoons, so he deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to help injured soldiers. After leading his unit to victory, Guillen died of his injuries.
Medal of Honor Awarded: August 18, 1954
Marcario García – World War II
Birthplace: Villa de Castano, Mexico
García single-handedly killed six enemy troops and captured four German prisoners. García was injured by bullets and grenade shrapnel during his charge.
Medal of Honor Awarded: Nov. 27, 1944
