Medal of Honer: Jose Nisperos, Philippine Insurrection, September 24, 1911

Name: Jose Nisperos
Rank: Private, U.S. Army (Philippine Scouts)
War: Philippine Insurrection
Date of Action: September 24, 1911
Unit: 34th Company, Philippine Scouts
Place: Lapurap, Basilan, Philippine Islands
Born: San Fernando, La Union, Philippine Islands

Summary of Action

On September 24, 1911, at Lapurap in Basilan, Private Jose Nisperos and his unit of the Philippine Scouts came under ferocious attack. During the fight, Nisperos was struck repeatedly, suffering a broken left arm and multiple spear wounds across his body. Unable to stand and bleeding heavily, he faced the prospect of collapse.

But Nisperos refused to give in. Bracing himself where he lay, he gripped his rifle with his good arm and continued firing steadily into the enemy ranks. His stubborn resistance helped repel the assault, preventing his party from being overwhelmed and their bodies mutilated.

For his extraordinary courage under conditions of near death, Nisperos became the first Filipino soldier awarded the Medal of Honor, his valor standing as a testament to loyalty and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.

Official Medal of Honor Citation

Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so that he could not stand) continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies.