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Pearce: Delayed Honor For American Hero

Today, the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest honor, was posthumously awarded to Victor H. Espinoza, an El Paso native and Korean War veteran.  His nephew, Roswell resident Amado “Sonny” Espinoza, received the medal on his behalf.

“Though decades too late, our nation today recognized the incredible courage, bravery, and sacrifice of one of our heroes,” said U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce.  “Mr. Espinoza’s family should be proud of his valor and heroism.  I know his story will be remembered in New Mexico, and his legacy will live on.”

Espinoza, who passed away in 1986, was awarded the medal today for  “extraordinary heroism” in a daring assault in Chorwon, Korea, on 1 August 1952.  According to the citation for the Distinguished Service Cross, his actions “inspired all who observed him and enabled the unit to continue the assault and to secure the strong point.”

Related:

Obama giving Medal of Honor to 24 vets from 3 wars 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is presenting 24 Medals of Honor in a rare ceremony meant to commemorate acts of bravery that the government concluded should have been recognized long time ago.

Obama says, quote, "Today we have the chance to set the record straight."

The recipients span three wars, from World War II to Korea to Vietnam. Only three are still alive.

The two dozen servicemen — Hispanics, Jews and African-Americans — were identified following a congressionally mandated review to ensure that recipients of the country's highest recognition for valor were not bypassed due to prejudice.

Obama says America confronts its imperfections, in his words, "including the truth that some of these soldiers fought and died for a country that did not always see them as equal."

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