Puerto Rican Hero
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
SSGT. FELIX M. CONDE FALCON
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, 1st Battalion,
505th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division: Conde-Falcon distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous actions, April 4, 1969, while serving as
platoon leader during a sweep operation in the vicinity of Ap Tan Hoa, Vietnam.
Entering a heavily wooded section on the route of advance, the company
encountered an extensive enemy bunker complex, later identified as a battalion
command post. Following tactical artillery and air strikes on the heavily
secured communist position, the platoon of Conde-Falcon was selected to assault
and clear the bunker fortifications. Moving out ahead of his platoon, he charged
the first bunker, heaving grenades as he went. As the hostile fire increased, he
crawled to the blind side of an entrenchment position, jumped to the roof, and
tossed a lethal grenade into the bunker aperture. Without hesitating, he
proceeded to two additional bunkers, both of which he destroyed in the same
manner as the first. Rejoined with his platoon, he advanced about one hundred
meters through the trees, only to come under intense hostile fire. Selecting
three men to accompany him, he maneuvered toward the enemy’s flank position.
Carrying a machine-gun, he single-handedly assaulted the nearest fortification,
killing the enemy inside before running out of ammunition. After returning to
the three men with his empty weapon and taking up an M-16 rifle, he concentrated
on the next bunker. Within ten meters of his goal, he was shot by an unseen
assailant and soon died of his wounds. His great courage, his ability to act
appropriately and decisively in accomplishing his mission, his dedication to the
welfare of his men mark him as an outstanding leader Conde-Falcon’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.
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