Salvador J. Lara

Salvador J. Lara (July 11, 1920 – September 1, 1945) was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and recipient of the Medal of Honor.[1] He was of Mexican American descent.[2]

Salvador J. Lara
BornJuly 11, 1920
Riverside, California
DiedSeptember 1, 1945
near Aprilia, Italy
Buried
Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
RankStaff Sergeant
Unit180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
602d Ordnance Armament Maintenance Battalion
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsMedal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart

Background

Members of Lara's family received the Medal of Honor flag from Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in a March 19, 2014, ceremony when Lara was inducted into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes. They received the actual medal from President Barack Obama at the White House on March 18, 2014.[3]

The award came through the Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.[4]

Lara was born in Riverside, California,[5] and died on September 1, 1945, shortly after World War II ended, while serving with the 602d Ordnance Armament Maintenance Battalion in Europe.[6] He is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Moselle, France.[7]

Medal of Honor action

According to Lara's U.S. Army biography:[1] Then-Pfc. Salvador Lara was bestowed the Medal of Honor to recognize his valorous actions in Aprilia, Italy, May 27–28, 1944. During the fight, May 27, he aggressively led his rifle squad in neutralizing multiple enemy strong points and inflicting large numbers of casualties on the enemy. The next morning, as his company resumed the attack, Lara sustained a severe leg wound, but did not stop to receive first aid. Lara continued his exemplary performance until he captured his objective.

See also
Lara's brother Alfonzo accepted the Medal of Honor on behalf of his late brother during a White House ceremony on March 18, 2014.

References
  1. "Staff Sergeant Salvador J. Lara Medal of Honor Biography".
  2. "Six Southern California Army veterans are among Medal of Honor recipients". San Bernardino Sun. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  3. Hood, David (March 20, 2014). "Two Days of Honor End on a Strong Note". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. p. A2.
  4. Daniel Rothberg (2014-02-21). "Obama will award Medal of Honor to 24 overlooked Army veterans". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  5. Santschi, Darrell R. (February 23, 2014). "Riverside men to get top honor: Jesus S. Duran and Salvador J. Lara will be awarded the Medal of Honor". The Press-Enterprise.
  6. World War II SSgt. Salvador Lara Receives Posthumous Medal of Honor Nearly 70 Years Later
  7. RIVERSIDE: Family thrilled by honor for World War II vet, Press-Enterprise
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