Silvestre Santana Herrera

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Silvestre Santana Herrera, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on 15 March 1945, while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action at Merzwiller, France. Private First Class 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 one man frontal assault on a strongpoint and captured eight enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield, Private 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 Private Herrera resulted in the capture of two enemy strongpoints and the taking of eight prisoners.