Héctor Santiago-Colón
| Héctor Santiago-Colón | |
|---|---|
Sp4 Héctor Santiago-Colón
|
|
| Born |
December 20, 1942 Salinas, Puerto Rico |
| Died | June 28, 1968 (aged 25) Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam |
| Place of burial | Salinas Municipal Cemetery, Salinas, Puerto Rico |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1967–1968 |
| Rank |
 Specialist Four
|
| Unit | 1st Cavalry Division 7th Cavalry, Co.B, 5th Battalion, |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Héctor Santiago-Colón (December 20, 1942 – June 28, 1968) is one of nine Puerto Ricans who have been posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. His actions on June 28, 1968 during the Vietnam War saved the lives of his comrades.
Santiago-Colón was one of twelve siblings born to Pablo Santiago and Petronila Colón in Salinas, Puerto Rico. There he received his primary and secondary education. In 1960 his family moved to the mainland United States and lived in New York City. After living in the city for a short time, Santiago-Colón decided that he wanted to be part of the NYPD (New York City Police Department), however, at the time, in order to become a member of the NYPD you had to be a veteran. Santiago-Colon then volunteered to join the United States Army. He was engaged to be married to his elementary school sweatheart at the time. After completing his basic training, he was assigned to a unit stationed in the Republic of Vietnam.
On June 28, 1968, members of Santiago-Colón's Company B of the 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division were engaged in combat at Quang Tri Province. An enemy (North Vietnamese) soldier lobbed a hand grenade into Santiago-Colón's foxhole. Realizing that there was no time to throw out the grenade, he tucked it in to his stomach and turning away from his comrades, absorbed the full impact of the blast, sacrificing his life to save his fellow soldiers from certain death.
Santiago-Colón posthumously received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. The award was presented to his family in a ceremony at the White House by President Richard M. Nixon on April 7, 1970. His remains are buried in the city of Salinas, Puerto Rico.
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