|
Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients DE LA GARZA, EMILIO A., JR. Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.
|
|
Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients DE LA GARZA, EMILIO A., JR. Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.
|
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
as a machine gunner with Company E. Returning with his squad from a night ambush operation,
L/Cpl. De La Garza joined his platoon commander and another marine in searching for
2 enemy soldiers who had been observed fleeing for cover toward a small pond. Moments
later, he located 1 of the enemy soldiers hiding among the reeds and brush. As the
3 marines attempted to remove the resisting soldier from the pond, L/Cpl. De La Garza
observed him pull the pin on a grenade. Shouting a warning, L/Cpl. De La Garza placed
himself between the other 2 marines and the ensuing blast from the grenade, thereby
saving the lives of his comrades at the sacrifice of his life. By his prompt and decisive
action, and his great personal valor in the face of almost certain death, L/Cpl. De
La Garza upheld and further enhanced the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and
the U.S. Naval Service.