Remember Him

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Manuel Herrera (MCSN: 2106574), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman with Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 March 1966. Company F was helilifted into the vicinity of Phuong Dinh (2) Village, Quang Ngai Province, and upon debarking from the helicopters; it was subjected to heavy enemy fire from a fortified Viet Cong force positioned within the village. Private Herrera, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, left his relatively safe position and advanced forward under heavy enemy small-arms fire to a position where a wounded Marine lay. Upon reaching the position, he carried his wounded comrade to a place of safety for medical evacuation. After returning to safety, Private Herrera once again advanced forward under heavy enemy fire to where another wounded Marine lay. Upon reaching the wounded Marine, he made attempts to evacuate the man from his exposed position, but was mortally wounded by enemy small-arms fire as he attempted to carry the wounded Marine to safety. By his courageous and selfless devotion to duty, Private Herrera upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.