Puerto Rico's 
65th INFANTRY REGIMENT
 
SILVER STAR
HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
GENERAL ORDERS # 229 - 6 July 1953

Master Sergeant NOEL VAZQUEZ, RA29160297, Company "E", 65th Infantry
Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On the afternoon of 9 June 1953,
a daylight combat patrol left the main line of resistance assigned the mission of
assaulting Hill "412" in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. Sergeant VAZQUEZ was assis-
tant patrol leader of the forward assault element that closed with the enemy, in-
flicting numerous casualties on the foe. When the patrol entered the trenches of the
enemy stronghold, he exposed himself to intense fire to reach the mouth of a cave
and destroy it with hand grenades. On one occasion, he saw two of the enemy approach-
ing his patrol leader and immediately he mortally wounded the foe. Firing his weapon,
although wounded by fragments from a hand grenade, Sergeant VAZQUEZ continued firing
his weapon until his ammunition was expended. He then directed the effective fire of
other members of the patrol. Sergeant VAZQUEZ' outstanding gallantry and devotion
to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the
Federal Service from Puerto Rico.
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