GLENDALE, Ariz., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Silvestre Herrera, who earned a Medal of Honor for his bravery during World War II, has died of age-related causes in Glendale, Ariz., at the age of 90.
Born in Mexico, Herrera served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the prestigious military award for single-handedly capturing eight German soldiers and a machine-gun nest, the Los Angeles Times said Sunday.
During the same military assault that earned him the United States' highest military honor for bravery, Herrera lost both his feet in a land mine explosion. His Medal of Honor citation detailed how he continued to fight despite his devastating injuries.
"Despite intense pain and unchecked loss of blood," the citation said, "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 Times said Herrera, who died last Monday, is survived by two sons, three daughters, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
