Gov. Rick Perry honors fallen Marine from Edgewood ISD 03 de - - PDF document

By Angela Covo

• Gov. Rick Perry honors fallen Marine from

Edgewood ISD

03 de septiembre de 2011 San Antonio.- In a poignant ceremony at the Roy Cisneros Elementary School Thursday, state and school officials, family and friends, and even young students came together to remember the heroism of U.S. Marine Cpl. Roy Cisneros, as Gov. Rick Perry presented the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, the state’s highest military distinction, to the fallen hero’s mother and brother. By Angela Covo angela.covo@gmail.com Almost 300 people gathered in the cafeteria of the Roy Cisneros Elementary School of the Edgewood Independent School District earlier this week, including Gov. Rick Perry, state officials, the Edgewood High School Class of 1967 and the school’s fifth grade students, to pay homage to Marine

• Cpl. Roy Cisneros, who sacrificed his own life to save his squadron in a battle in the Vietnam War

almost 43 years ago. They gathered to honor the marine, who gave up his life at just 19 years of age, and his family this day as the Governor of Texas presented the Texas Legislature Medal of Honor to his mother, Elvira Rocha-Cisneros, 88, and his brother Jim Cisneros, 52. According to state law, the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, the state’s highest military decoration, can only be awarded to a member of the military forces who voluntarily performs a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice involving risk of life that is so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the person for gallantry and intrepidity above the person's comrades. “Awarding of the medal shall be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit,” the legislation reads. And this young man from San Antonio, who attended the Roy Cisneros School when it was called Cenizo Park Elementary, and was also a member of the Edgewood High School Class of 1967, earned that honor by making the ultimate sacrifice. Cisneros, the middle child of seven brothers, also received the Navy Cross, the second highest military award from the Navy, in 1969. The citation for that medal best tells his story and paints a picture of absolute valor. It states that Marine Cpl. Roy Cisneros was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for “extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 September 1968.” The citation explains the circumstances surrounding Cisneros’ heroic deed: Page 1 of 3

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“While conducting a reconnaissance in force, Company B came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army company occupying fortified positions on Hill 461 in Quang Tri Province. During the ensuing fire fight, Corporal Cisneros skillfully maneuvered his squad across the hazardous terrain and, directing the fire of his men with devastating accuracy, was instrumental in the destruction of three enemy bunkers.When his men were pinned down by a heavy volume of fire from a fourth emplacement, he boldly advanced and single-handedly attempted to destroy the enemy position. After firing a light antitank assault weapon into the bunker, he fearlessly hurled hand grenades at the defenders as he aggressively continued his assault. Disregarding his own safety, he commenced firing his rifle and was delivering effective fire upon the North Vietnamese emplacements, when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His resolute determination and intrepid fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for 45 North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Cisneros upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.” State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte shared more insight. She explained the the young corporal made a very conscious decision – and was well aware he would not survive the attack. “‘There’s no sense in all of us getting killed,’ he said … and leaving his men behind … he lobbed grenades into the bunker … He went above and beyond the call of duty and is personally responsible for saving the lives of marines. He saved the life of every man in the squadron,” she said. According to the state senator, 54 young men from the Edgewood School district died in that war, many from the Class of 1967. “This school district has the distinction of having the most casualties in the Vietnam War,” she said. In her remarks introducing the Governor, Van de Putte noted Perry came from a small town – and grew up with the same values the Cisneros family embedded in their sons. “They taught him to have faith, work hard and get educated,” she said. The Governor presents the Cisneros family with Texas Legislative Medal of Honor Perry thanked everyone who worked to make this day possible so that Texas could recognize San Antonio’s American war hero. He especially thanked the Cisneros’ family for a “debt that can never fully be repaid.” The Governor, who is now also a presidential candidate, elaborated on the legacy of the brave young Marine, describing him as “a favored son of San Antonio. His gallantry inspires us all and reminds us

• f the true cost of freedom, a freedom we can never take for granted.”

In his remarks, Perry noted that with the presentation of the state’s Medal of Honor and the proclamation authored by Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, a framed copy of that message will remain on display at the school to ensure that Cisneros’ memory will live on. “And now this will be a name that will live on for generations to come as young men and women come through this school; it will be imprinted upon their hearts and their memories who Roy was, what he did – to give up his life to save another,” Perry, who is also a former Air Force pilot, said. Page 2 of 3

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“We honor Cpl. Cisneros today because he represents the best that America has to offer, an individual who demonstrated the greatest love imaginable for his country and for his fellows Marines … this young Texan never hesitated in his duty,” Perry added. Perry also noted the challenges our Vietnam veterans faced – while fighting the war, as well as when they returned. “All too often our Vietnam veterans returned to disinterest or even scorn from a public in turmoil about the mission in Vietnam … but thankfully we’ve grown a little wiser as a nation and now better understand the obligation we have to honor those who fought, who have died for this nation. We owe it to Cpl. Cisneros and the other 58,259 souls whose names are carved on that Veteran’s Memorial,” the Governor said. Jim Cisneros worked years to have his brother honored Jim Cisneros, just 9 years old when his brother died, had been working toward this day for the past four years. He wasn’t sure this would be the year his brother was honored. Only one Texan can win the award, which can only come up for consideration every other year. This year, the field of nominees was broad and included the great American war hero Audie Murphy, the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II and the son of poor Texas sharecroppers. Still, the committee’s decision, which they all explained was very difficult as each story was heartrendering, was also unanimous. And Jim Cisneros was glad the Governor was there to present the medal. He explainied the governor's presentation of the medal made a difference, especially since the Navy Cross was not presented to the family by a general or the Secretary of the Navy, as is expected according to custom, but by a lieutenant colonel. South Vietnam also awarded the fallen Marine their highest military decoration, the Vietnam Military Merit Medal – but it arrived as a package in the mail. For the Cisneros family, finally, this ceremonious event provided a sense of closure. Van de Putte read the Proclamation honoring Cisneros to the crowd, and presented one copy to the family and another to the school. And Jim Cisneros announced the family would ultimately donate his brother’s medal to the school. State Rep. Joe Pickett, a member of the committee that selected Cisneros for the honor, said he was humbled to be there with the Cisneros family. “This is not a congratulations,” he said. “It’s a thank you to the Cisneros family.” Page 3 of 3

• Gov. Rick Perry honors fallen Marine from Edgewood ISD :: La Prensa ::

10/11/2011 http://www.laprensasa.com/news/printer/1252237/gov.-rick-perry-honors-fallen-marine-f...