José B. Nísperos

José B. Nísperos (December 30, 1887–September 1, 1922) was a member of the Philippine Scouts. He received the Medal of Honor during the Philippine-American War. He was the first Asian to receive the medal. On September 24, 1911, at Lapurap, Basilan, Philippines, Nísperos, a member of the U.S. Army's 34th Company of the Philippine Scouts, defended his unit's position against natives armed with spears despite being severely wounded.[4] Nísperos became the first Filipino and Asian to receive the medal of honor; the medal was presented by Brigadier General Bell in February 1913.[3][5]

Jose Baliton Nisperos[1]
Born(1887-12-30)December 30, 1887
San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines
DiedSeptember 1, 1922(1922-09-01) (aged 34)
San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines[2][3]
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch
RankPrivate
Unit34th Company, Philippine Scouts
Battles/wars
AwardsMedal of Honor
Other workPolice Officer[2]

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so that he could not stand) continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies.[6]

Related pages

Notes

  1. Jun Elias (3 April 2012). After 100 years, Pinoy hero reburied with military honors. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/04/02/12/after-100-years-pinoy-hero-reburied-military-honors. Retrieved December 31, 2012. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Jose Nisperos, First Asian MOH Winner". Retrieved December 31, 2012. Jose Nisperos was born in 1887, and in 1907 enlisted in the Scouts in his hometown of San Fernando. Nisperos was honorably discharged and served as a local policeman until his death in 1922.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Yolanda Sotelo (14 June 2012). After 90 years, US Medal of Honor returned to heirs of Filipino soldier. http://www.stripes.com/news/us/after-90-years-us-medal-of-honor-returned-to-heirs-of-filipino-soldier-1.180338. Retrieved December 31, 2012. 
  4. "Jose B. Nisperos". Military Times. Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  5. "After 90 years of searching, missing medal for valor of Filipino hero returned". San Fernando City. Republic of the Philippines. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  6. "José B. Nísperos, Medal of Honor recipient". Philippine Insurrection. United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2012.

References