Silvestre S Herrera
- Category : 1917-births
- Type : GP
- Profile : 6/2 - Role Model / Hermit
- Definition : Single
- Incarnation Cross : LAX Obscuration 2
Biography
Mexican-American Private First Class of the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Mertzwiller, France during World War II.
After his one-man charge on an enemy stronghold resulted in the single-handed capture of eight enemy soldiers, his unit was attacked by a second across a minefield. Herrera again single-handedly took on the enemy, losing both his legs beneath the knees to mine explosions yet continuing to provide covering machine gun fire that allowed his comrades to overrun the enemy position in a flanking action clear of the minefield.
Born in Mexico of Hispanic heritage, Herrera was the only living person authorized to wear both the Medal of Honor and Mexico's Order of Military Merit (First Class) at the time of his death. A legend in the state of Arizona, he was honored by the city of Phoenix officially renaming the portion of 3rd Street that runs from Indian School Road North into the park, "S. Herrera Way".
Herrera died at his home in Glendale, Arizona on 26 November 2007, aged 90.