Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Mertzwiller, France, 15 March 1945. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Birth: El Paso, Tex. G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.
Citation... He advanced with a platoon along a wooded road until stopped
by heavy enemy machinegun fire. As the rest of the unit took cover, he
made a 1-man frontal assault on a strongpoint and captured 8 enemy
soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and was subjected to fire
from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield, Pvt. Herrera
again moved forward, disregarding the danger of exploding mines, to
attack the position. He stepped on a mine and had both feet severed but,
despite intense pain and unchecked loss of blood, he pinned down the
enemy with accurate rifle fire while a friendly squad captured the enemy
gun by