MOH

Medal of Honor: Silvestre S. Herrera – U.S. Army – World War II

A machinegun pinned his platoon to the road. He stood up—and went straight at it alone.

April 15, 2026

Name: Silvestre S. Herrera
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company E, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division
Place: Near Mertzwiller, France
Entered Service At: Phoenix, Arizona
Born: El Paso, Texas
G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945

Summary of Action

Advancing along a wooded road near Mertzwiller, France, Pvt. Silvestre S. Herrera’s platoon was halted by intense enemy machinegun fire.

While the rest of the unit took cover, Herrera launched a one-man frontal assault on the position. Charging directly into the enemy strongpoint, he captured eight German soldiers and eliminated the threat.

As the platoon resumed its advance, they were again stopped—this time by a second machinegun position located beyond a heavily mined field.

Without hesitation, Herrera advanced into the minefield to attack the enemy. During his approach, he stepped on a mine, which detonated and severed both of his feet.

Despite catastrophic wounds, overwhelming pain, and severe blood loss, Herrera refused to withdraw. From his position, he continued to deliver accurate rifle fire, pinning down the enemy and preventing their escape or further resistance.

His actions enabled a friendly squad to maneuver around the minefield and assault the position from the flank, capturing the enemy gun.

His extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice secured two enemy strongpoints and ensured the success of his unit’s advance.

Medal of Honor Citation

HERRERA, SILVESTRE S.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Mertzwiller, France, 15 March 1945.
Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz.
Birth: El Paso, Tex.
G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.

Citation:
He 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 1-man frontal assault on a strongpoint and captured 8 enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield, Pvt. 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 Pvt. Herrera resulted in the capture of 2 enemy strongpoints and the taking of 8 prisoners.