Bronze Star
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 102 13 April 1951AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL - By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, WD Bul 3, 1944), and pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded to the following named officers and enlisted men :
FIRST LIEUTENANT HECTOR E. PINEIRO, 0959121, Infantry, Company "B", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 31 January 1951, while leading the 2nd platoon in an attack on Hill 449 in Korea, the whole company was brought under heavy fire of automatic weapons and small arms employed by a strong enemy force well dug-in on the upper slopes of the hill. Lieutenant PINEIRO, taking no thought for his personal safety, exposed himself fearlessly to this in order to point out targets to the men of his platoon. He then led his platoon in an assault which silenced the enemy weapons which were holding up the company's advance, thus clearing the way for the capture of the objective. Lieutenant PINEIRO'S aggressive courage was an inspiration to his men and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from Puerto Rico.
Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 - National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.