Arizona's War Heroes

He was a double Medal of Honor Recipient, one of only 19. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, VA-Section 18, Lot 2453. He was killed in action. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *PRUITT, JOHN HENRY Army Medal • Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division • Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918 • Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. • G.O. No.: 62, W.D., 1919 Citation: Cpl. Pruitt single-handed attacked 2 machineguns, capturing them and killing 2 of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy. Navy Medal • Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps • Accredited to: Arizona Citation: For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, single-handed attacked 2 machineguns, capturing them and killing 2 of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping the enemy.

He is buried in Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale AZ, Section 26, Block 6, Lot 1. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: HERRERA, SILVESTRE S. • Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division • Place and date: Near Mertzwiller, France, 15 March 1945 • Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. • G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945 Citation: He advanced with a platoon along a wooded road until stopped by heavy enemy machinegun fire. As the rest of the unit took cover, he made a 1-man frontal assault on a strongpoint and captured 8 enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield, Pvt. Herrera again moved forward, disregarding the danger of exploding mines, to attack the position. He stepped on a mine and had both feet severed but, despite intense pain and unchecked loss of blood, he pinned down the enemy with accurate rifle fire while a friendly squad captured the enemy gun by skirting the minefield and rushing in from the flank. The magnificent courage, extraordinary heroism, and willing self-sacrifice displayed by Pvt. Herrera resulted in the capture of 2 enemy strongpoints and the taking of 8 prisoners.