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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients SANTIAGO-COLON, HECTOR Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
(Airmobile).
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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients SANTIAGO-COLON, HECTOR Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
(Airmobile).
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Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Sp4c. Santiago-Colon distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as
a gunner in the mortar platoon of Company B. While serving as a perimeter sentry,
Sp4c. Santiago-Colon heard distinct movement in the heavily wooded area to his front
and flanks. Immediately he alerted his fellow sentries in the area to move to their
foxholes and remain alert for any enemy probing forces. From the wooded area around
his position heavy enemy automatic weapons and small-arms fire suddenly broke out,
but extreme darkness rendered difficult the precise location and identification of
the hostile force. Only the muzzle flashes from enemy weapons indicated their position.
Sp4c. Santiago-Colon and the other members of his position immediately began to repel
the attackers, utilizing hand grenades, antipersonnel mines and small-arms fire. Due
to the heavy volume of enemy fire and exploding grenades around them, a North Vietnamese
soldier was able to crawl, undetected, to their position. Suddenly, the enemy soldier
lobbed a hand grenade into Sp4c. Santiago-Colon's foxhole. Realizing that there was
no time to throw the grenade out of his position, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon retrieved the
grenade, tucked it in to his stomach and, turning away from his comrades, absorbed
the full impact of the blast. His heroic self-sacrifice saved the lives of those who
occupied the foxhole with him, and provided them with the inspiration to continue
fighting until they had forced the enemy to retreat from the perimeter. By his gallantry
at the cost of his life and in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c.
Santiago-Colon has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.