Willie B. Deherrera

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Willie B. DeHerrera (US17227071), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Private First Class DeHerrera distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Nae-ri, Korea, on 26 October 1951. On that date, Private DeHerrera was the point man of the leading squad of a platoon during an assault on a heavily fortified and well-concealed enemy position. With little regard for his safety, he preceded the platoon up the hill against the enemy position while the enemy was throwing down grenades and sweeping the area with small-arms fire. Although apparently wounded twice, he continued to advance by crawling toward the enemy, firing his weapon until he was killed within a few feet of the enemy position.