Place of burial Lingsat Cemetery Rank Private | Years of service 1907 - c. 1913 Name Jose Nisperos | |
Service/branch Philippine ScoutsUnited States Army | ||
José Balitón Nísperos (December 30, 1887–September 1, 1922) was a member of the Philippine Scouts who received the Medal of Honor during the Philippine-American War. He was the first Asian to be awarded 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. Nísperos became the first Filipino and Asian to receive the medal of honor; the medal was presented by Brigadier General Bell in February 1913.
Medal of Honor 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.
References
José B. Nísperos Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA