Rafel Toro
Private Rafel Toro (born in Humacao, Puerto Rico) was a United States Marine Corps private who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his "extraordinary heroism in battle"[1] while fighting in Nicaragua during the second Nicaragua campaign in 1927.
Rafel Toro | |
|---|---|
| Born | Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Died | August 3, 1927 San Fernando, Nicaragua |
| Buried | Cementerio Historico Municipal Barrio La Pratt in Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Allegiance |  |
| Service/ |  |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 5th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Banana Wars |
| Awards | Navy Cross Purple Heart |
Toro was part of the U.S. Marine Corps occupation force in Nicaragua. On July 25, 1927, Private Toro was on advance guard duty into Nueva Segovia. As he rode into town, he was attacked; returning fire, he was able to hold back the enemy until reinforcements arrived. He was mortally wounded in this action for which he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Navy Cross citation
TORO, RAFEL Private, U.S. Marine Corps Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua Date of Action: July 25, 1927 Citation: The Navy Cross is presented to Rafel Toro, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in battle when on the occasion of an engagement at San Fernando, Nicaragua, July 25, 1927, during an insurrection in that country, while performing advance guard duty in an important expedition into Nueva Segovia, Private Toro, accompanying his commanding officer, rode ahead into the town and on being attacked, fearlessly proceeded against tremendous odds, returning the fire, and at the risk of his own life materially assisted in holding the enemy in check until the arrival of reinforcements. Although receiving wounds at this time, which later resulted in his death, Private Toro continued in the fight to the last displaying that type of grit, determination and courage which characterizes conduct above and beyond the call of duty.[1]
Authority - USMC Communiqué: 205227 ACE-jfb (December 21, 1927), Born: at Humacao, Puerto Rico, Home Town: Humacao, Puerto Rico
Honors
On May 28, 2007 — Memorial Day — Senator Kenneth McClintock, President of the Senate of Puerto Rico, along with Puerto Rico National Guard Adjutant General Colonel David Carrión, unveiled the names of Puerto Rican military heroes most recently added to "El Monumento de la Recordación" (the Monument of Remembrance). Among those newly honored were Rafel Toro, Manuel Rivera Jr. and Medal of Honor recipient Humbert Roque Versace.[2] The monument, which honors Puerto Rico's fallen military, is located in front of the Capitol Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Awards and decorations
Among Rafel Toro's awards and decorations are the following:
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| Navy Cross | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal | |||
Further reading
- "Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor. Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own"; by : Greg Boudonck; ISBN 978-1497421837
- "Historia militar de Puerto Rico"; by: Hector Andres Negroni; publisher=Sociedad Estatal Quinto Centenario (1992); ISBN 84-7844-138-7
See also
Notes
- Toro Navy Cross citation.
- El Vocero, May 29, 2007, page 3.
References
- "Toro, Rafel (citation)". U.S. Marine Corps Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1919–1942. Compiled by C. Douglas Sterner, HomeofHeroes.com. p. 37. Archived from the original (Word document) on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-19.