Twenty-four former soldiers who hold the Distinguished Service Cross for valor they displayed in combat during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, have had their awards upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the White House announced Feb. 21. Only three of the awardees – Sgt. Santiago Erevia, Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris, and Master Sgt. Jose Rodela – are still living. They earned their medals in combat in Vietnam. The Army concluded the upgrades were in order following extensive reviews of combat records of Jewish and Latino veterans, as authorized by Congress in 2002. The prevailing thought is their awards were downgraded because of institutional prejudice at the time they served. Other awardees include:
Pvt. Pedro Cano, World War II;
Pvt. Joe Gandara, World War II;
PFC Salvador J Lara, World War II;
PFC William Leonard, World War II;
Tech. Sgt. Manuel V. Mendoza, World War II; Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel, World War II; Cpl. Joe R. Baldonado, Korea; Sgt. Victor H. Espinoza, Korea; PFC Leonard M. Kravitz, Korea; Master Sgt. Juan E. Negron, Korea; Master Sgt. Juan E. Negron, Korea; Pvt. Demensio Rivera, Korea; Pvt. Miguel A. Vera, Korea; Sgt. Jack Weinstein, Korea; Spc. 4 Leonard L. Alvarado, Vietnam; Sgt. 1st Class Felix M. Conde-Falcon, Vietnam; Spc. 4 Ardie Ray Copas, Vietnam; Spc. 4 Jesus S. Duran, Vietnam; Sgt. Candelario “Cid” Garcia Jr., Vietnam.