From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
José B. Nísperos was a member of the Philippine Scouts who received the Medal of Honor during the Philippine-American War. He was the first Asian to be awarded the medal. On September 24, 1911, at Lapurap-Basilan, Philippines, Nísperos, a member of the U.S. Army's 34th Company of the Philippine Scouts, defended his unit's position against natives armed with spears despite being severely wounded.
His official Medal of Honor citation reads:
- "Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so that he could not stand) continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies."
