The Medal of Honor was introduced during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.

Sixty-one (61) men of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Of the sixty-one Medals of Honor presented to Hispanics, two were presented to members of the United States Navy, thirteen to members of the United States Marine Corps and forty-six to members of the United States Army. Forty-two Medals of Honor were presented posthumously.

The first recipient was Corporal Joseph H. De Castro of the Union Army for his actions at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863, during the American Civil War and the most recent recipient is Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry for his actions in Afghanistan. Corporal De Castro was a member of the Massachusetts Infantry, a militia that was not part of the "regular" army; however, Private David Bennes Barkley was a member of the regular army during World War I and has been recognized as the Army's first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient.Medal of Honor recipient of Hispanic Heritage , Hispanic America USA, Retrieved July 29, 2008 In 1864, Seaman John Ortega became the first Hispanic member of the U.S. Navy to receive the Medal of Honor and in 1900, Private France Silva became the first person of Hispanic descent in the U.S. Marine Corps to receive the medal. President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to 17 Hispanics on a March 18, 2014 in a ceremony in the White House. The award comes through the National Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.

Fifteen recipients were born outside the United States mainland, one each in Chile and Spain, five in Mexico and eight in Puerto Rico. Seaman Philip Bazaar from Chile received the medal in January 1865 and Seaman John Ortega from Spain in December 1865. The first native Mexican recipient was Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia and the first Puerto Rican was PFC Fernando Luis Garcia.Puerto Rican Medal of Honor recipients, Oakland Tribune, Retrieved July 29, 2008 1st Lt. Rudolph B. Davila, of Hispanic-Filipino descent, was the only person of Filipino ancestry to receive the medal for his actions in the war in Europe during World War II. Private Joe P. Martinez was the first Hispanic-American recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for combat heroism on American soil during the same conflict.22 Asian Americans Inducted into Hall of Heroes, El Boricua, Retrieved July 29, 2008 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez, is the only Hispanic graduate of the United States Naval Academy to receive the Medal of Honor.1st Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, USMC , Association of Naval Services Officers, Retrieved July 29, 2008 Captain Humbert Roque Versace was the first recipient of the Medal of Honor to be given to an Army POW for his actions during captivity in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.Mishalov, Neil; Versace MoH Citation excerpts from:The Washington Post, July 8, 2002; By Steve Vogel, The Washington Times; July 4, 2002; By Ellen Sorokin; The Washington Post; May 27, 2001; Stars and Stripes; January 18, 2001; By Dave Eberhart, Stars and Stripes Veterans Affairs Editor, Stars and Stripes; July 18, 2000; By Dave Eberhart, Stars and Stripes Veterans Affairs Editor and Stars and Stripes; Oct 7, 2000; By Mike Faber, Stars and Stripes Contributing Writer, Retrieved July 29, 2008

Terminology Hispanic is an ethnic term employed to categorize any citizen or resident of the United States, of any racial background, of any country, and of any religion, who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or is of non-Hispanic origin, but has an ancestor from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central or South America, or other Hispanic origin. The three largest Hispanic groups in the United States are the Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans.Hispanic Population of the United States: Current Population - Survey Definition and Background , United States Census Bureau, November 2, 2000, Retrieved December 28, 2007

American Civil War Three Hispanic Americans earned the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War, two were sailors of the Union Navy and one was a soldier of the 19th Massachusetts Infantry.

ImageName RankBranchUnitPlace of actionDate of actionNotes/ReferenceNavyMassachusetts, Assault on Fort Fisher"As one of a boat crew detailed to one of the generals on shore, O.S. Bazaar bravely entered the fort in the assault and accompanied his party in carrying dispatches at the height of the battle. He was 1 of 6 men who entered the fort in the assault from the fleet"ArmyCompany I, 19th Massachusetts InfantryGettysburg, PennsylvaniaAttacked a confederate flag bearer from the 19th Virginia Infantry regiment and captured their flag.NavyWas a member of a landing party who made several raids in August and September 1864 which resulted in the capture of many confederate prisoners and the taking or destruction of substantial quantities of ordnance, ammunition, and supplies. A number of buildings, bridges, and salt works were also destroyed during the expedition

Boxer Rebellion During the Boxer Rebellion only one Hispanic American received the Medal of Honor and that was France Silva who earned it for "distinguishing himself for meritorious conduct".

ImageName RankBranchUnitPlace of actionDate of actionNotes/Reference Marine CorpsPeking, China–For distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct

World War I ImageName RankBranchUnitPlace of actionDate of actionNotes/Reference*ArmyCompany A, 356th Infantry,89th DivisionNear Pouilly, FranceVolunteered to swim a river to gather information on an enemy force. When he was swimming back across the river he got cramps and drowned.

World War II

ImageNameRankBranchUnitPlace of actionDate of actionNotes/ReferenceStaff sergeantArmy30th Infantry, 3d Infantry DivisionSt. Die, FrancePrivateArmyCompany C, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry DivisionSchevenhutte, GermanyDec. 3, 1944to award Medal of Honor to 24 Army veteransStaff sergeantArmyCompany H, 7th InfantryArtena, ItalyRisked his life to destroy three hostile machine guns.*PrivateArmy Company D, 2d Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne DivisionAmfreville, FranceJune 9, 1944He destroyed three hostile machine guns before he was fatally wounded. Staff sergeantArmyCompany B, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry DivisionNear Grosshau, Germany"While an acting squad leader, he single-handedly assaulted two enemy machine gun emplacements" *Private first classMarine Corps4th Battalion, 15th Marines6th Marine DivisionRyūkyū Chain, OkinawaSacrificed his life to smother a grenade with his body*Private first class ArmyCompany A, 127th Infantry, 32 Infantry DivisionVilla Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine IslandsWas killed in action in the Philippines while digging out fellow soldiers who had been buried in a bomb explosionPrivate first classArmyCompany E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry DivisionNear Mertzwiller, FranceInjured in action while charging an enemy stronghold resulting in the capture of eight enemy soldiers*Private first classArmy 602d Ordnance Armament Maintenance Battalion, 45th Infantry DivisionAprilia, ItalyMay 27–28, 1944For courageous actions during combat operations in Aprilia, Italy before he was fatally wounded.SergeantArmy2d Infantry DivisionNear Krinkelt, BelgiumSingle-handedly repulsed a German infantry attack, killing at least 100 enemy troops*PrivateArmyCompany K, 32d Infantry, 7th Infantry DivisionAttu, Aleutians, Alaska, United StatesKilled in action while participating in the defeat of enemy forces in a snow-covered mountain.*Staff sergeantArmy350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division Battaglia, ItalyOct. 4, 1944For courageous actions during combat operations on Mount Battaglia, Italy before he was fatally wounded.*Private first classArmyCompany A 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne DivisionFort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippine IslandsKilled 18 enemy soldiers so his company could advancePrivateArmyCompany B, 148th Infantry, 37th DivisionPaco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippine IslandsWith another soldier, who was killed in the action, killed more than 82 Japanese, completely disorganized their defense, and allowed for the enemy to be defeatedPrivate first classArmy165th Infantry, 27th Infantry DivisionOkinawaRisked his life to eliminate an enemy pillbox and kill the 12 enemy soldiers who were occupying it*Private first classArmyCompany B, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry DivisionRosenkrantz, France*Staff sergeantArmyCompany F, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry DivisionVilla Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands

Korean War

ImageName RankBranchUnitPlace of actionDate of actionNotes/Reference*CorporalArmyCompany B, 1st Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Kangdong, North Korea Nov. 25, 1950*CorporalArmyCompany A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Chorwon, North Korea Aug. 1, 1952*Private first classMarine CorpsCompany I3rd Battalion, 5th Marines1st Marine DivisionKorea*Private first classMarine CorpsCompany E2nd Battalion, 1st Marines1st Marine DivisionKajon-ni, Korea *SergeantArmy Company I, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Tabu-dong, South Korea Sept. 3, 1950For heroism in inflicting a heavy toll in casualties and retarding the enemy's advance.*Staff sergeantMarine CorpsCompany F2nd Battalion, 7th Marines1st Marine DivisionSonguch-on, Korea CorporalArmyCompany G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat TeamNear Wontong-ni, Korea*First lieutenantMarine CorpsCompany A1st Battalion, 5th Marines1st Marine DivisionInchon Landing, Korea *CorporalArmyCompany A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry DivisionSatacri, Korea *Master sergeantArmy 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry DivisionKalma-Eri, North KoreaApril 28, 1951For courageous actions during combat operations in Kalma-Eri, North Korea.*Private first classMarine CorpsCompany G3rd Battalion, 5th Marines1st Marine DivisionSecond Battle of Seoul *Master sergeantArmy Company F, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Waegwan, South Korea Sept. 4, 1950PrivateArmy Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Changyong-ni, South Korea May 23, 1951For courageous actions during combat operations in Changyong-ni, South Korea.Private first classArmyCompany F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry DivisionNear Munye-ri, Korea*PrivateArmy Company F, 2d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Chorwon, South Korea Sept. 21, 1952

Vietnam War