Rafel Toro
Encyclopedia
Private Rafel Toro was a United States Marine Corps
private who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
for his "extraordinary heroism in battle" while fighting in Nicaragua during the second Nicaragua campaign in 1927.
Toro was part of the U.S. Marine Corps occupation force in Nicaragua, serving with the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua. On July 25, 1927, Private Toro was on advance guard duty into Nueva Segovia
. As he rode into town, he was attacked; returning fire, he was able to hold back the enemy until reinforcements arrived. He was mortally wounded in this action for which he was posthumuously awarded the Navy Cross.
TORO, RAFEL
Private, U.S. Marine Corps
Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua
Date of Action: July 25, 1927
Citation:
Authority - USMC Communiqué: 205227 ACE-jfb (December 21, 1927)
Born: at Humacao, Puerto Rico
Home Town: Humacao, Puerto Rico
— Senator Kenneth McClintock
, President of the Senate of Puerto Rico
, along with Puerto Rico
National Guard
Adjutant General
Colonel David Carrión, unveiled the names of Puerto Rican military heroes most recently added to "El Monumento de la Recordación" (the Monument of Remembrance). Among those newly honored were Rafel Toro, Manuel Rivera, Jr. and Medal of Honor
recipient Humbert Roque Versace
. The monument, which honors Puerto Rico's fallen military, is located in front of the Capitol Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
private who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for his "extraordinary heroism in battle" while fighting in Nicaragua during the second Nicaragua campaign in 1927.
Toro was part of the U.S. Marine Corps occupation force in Nicaragua, serving with the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua. On July 25, 1927, Private Toro was on advance guard duty into Nueva Segovia
Nueva Segovia
Nueva Segovia is a department in Nicaragua. It covers an area of 3,123 km² and has a population of 211,200 . The capital is Ocotal.- Municipalities :# Ciudad Antigua# Dipilto# El Jícaro# Jalapa# Macuelizo# Mozonte# Murra# Ocotal...
. As he rode into town, he was attacked; returning fire, he was able to hold back the enemy until reinforcements arrived. He was mortally wounded in this action for which he was posthumuously awarded the Navy Cross.
Navy Cross citation
Authority - USMC Communiqué: 205227 ACE-jfb (December 21, 1927)
Born: at Humacao, Puerto Rico
Home Town: Humacao, Puerto Rico
Honors
On May 28, 2007 — Memorial DayMemorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
— Senator Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth D. McClintock-Hernández is the current Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. Mr. McClintock served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, co-chaired Clinton's successful Puerto Rico primary campaign that year and served as the...
, President of the Senate of Puerto Rico
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
, along with Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico National Guard
The Puerto Rico National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components with a total authorized strength of 10,000 soldiers and airmen. The Constitution of the United States specifically...
National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
Adjutant General
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
Colonel David Carrión, unveiled the names of Puerto Rican military heroes most recently added to "El Monumento de la Recordación" (the Monument of Remembrance). Among those newly honored were Rafel Toro, Manuel Rivera, Jr. and Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient Humbert Roque Versace
Humbert Roque Versace
Captain Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace was a United States Army officer of Puerto Rican-Italian descent who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his heroic actions while a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. He was the first member of...
. The monument, which honors Puerto Rico's fallen military, is located in front of the Capitol Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Awards and decorations
Among Rafel Toro's awards and decorations are the following:
Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- Puerto Rican recipients of the Navy CrossPuerto Rican recipients of the Navy CrossPuerto Ricans have served as members of the United States Armed Forces and have fought in every major conflict in which the United States has been involved from World War I onward. Many Puerto Ricans, including those of Puerto Rican descent, have distinguished themselves during combat as members of...
- Hispanics in the United States Marine CorpsHispanics in the United States Marine CorpsHispanics in the United States Marine Corps, such as Private France Silva who during the Boxer Rebellion became the first Marine of the thirteen Marines of Hispanic descent to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and Private First Class Guy Gabaldon who is credited with capturing over 1,000 enemy...