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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients ROCCO, LOUIS R. Rank and organization: Warrant
Officer (then Sergeant First Class), U.S. Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance
Command.
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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients ROCCO, LOUIS R. Rank and organization: Warrant
Officer (then Sergeant First Class), U.S. Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance
Command.
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Citation: WO Rocco distinguished
himself when he volunteered to accompany a medical evacuation team on an urgent mission
to evacuate 8 critically wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel. As the
helicopter approached the landing zone, it became the target for intense enemy automatic
weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, WO Rocco identified and placed accurate
suppressive fire on the enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward the landing
zone. Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft was forced to crash
land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist and hip and a severely bruised
back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors from the burning wreckage,
sustaining burns to his own body. Despite intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each
unconscious man across approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the
Republic of Vietnam perimeter. On each trip, his severely burned hands and broken
wrist caused excruciating pain, but the lives of the unconscious crash survivors were
more important than his personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue efforts.
Once inside the friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first aid to his wounded
comrades until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose consciousness.
His bravery under fire and intense devotion to duty were directly responsible for
saving 3 of his fellow soldiers from certain death. His unparalleled bravery in the
face of enemy fire, his complete disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his
performance were far above and beyond the call of duty and were in keeping with the
highest traditions of self-sacrifice and courage of the military service.