Efraín Figueroa-Meléndez
| Efraín Figueroa Meléndez | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 27, 1942 Cataño, Puerto Rico |
| Died |
March 5, 1969 Kon Tum Province, Vietnam |
| Buried at | Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army |
| Rank |
 Staff Sergeant |
| Unit | Company D, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Purple Heart |
Staff Sergeant Efraín Figueroa Meléndez (July 27, 1942 – March 5, 1969) was born in Cataño, Puerto Rico was a member of Company D, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. SSG Efraín Figueroa was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Vietnam War
On three occasions Staff Sergeant Figueroa-Meléndez purposely drew communist volleys on himself to permit his men to draw back to protected positions he was struck by sniper fire and killed March 5, 1969, in Kontum Province, South Vietnam serving with the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.
Staff Sergeant Efraín Figueroa-Meléndez was buried with full military honors in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.[1]
Distinguished Service Cross citation
EFRAIN FIGUEROA-MELENDEZ
Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Efrain Figueroa-Melendez, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 March 1969 while on a mission to recover several wounded soldiers from an enemy-infiltrated area west of Kontum. En route to the objective area, his company encountered hostile machine gun and small arms fire and were pinned down. In order to withdraw and regroup successfully, Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez moved forward and laid a devastating suppressive barrage on the enemy bunkers. Three times he purposely drew communist volleys on himself to permit his men to draw back to protected positions. Noticing a wounded soldier dangerously exposed and unable to move, Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez maneuvered to the downed man and proceeded to administer medical aid. Then, when he attempted to evacuate the casualty, he was struck by sniper fire and killed. Staff Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2464 (September 8, 1969) Home Town: Cataño, Puerto Rico[2]
Military decorations
Among Efraín Figueroa Meléndez awards and decorations are the following:
 | |||||
  | |||||
 |
|
 | |||
| 1 | Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Distinguished Service Cross | Purple Heart | ||||
| 3 | National Defense Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze star | Vietnam Campaign Medal | |||
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- Puerto Rican recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross