Private Jose B. Nisperos was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 24, 1911 in Lapurap, Basilan Island, Philippine Islands during the 1911 actions against outlaws in the Philippines. At the time he was serving with 34th Company, Philippine Scouts. Nisperos was 23 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 3, 1913. Manila, Philippine Islands (Parade Grounds), presented by Mrs. J. Franklin Bell (wife of the commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Bell).
Nisperos was born on December 30, 1887 in San Fernando, Union, Luzon, Philippine Islands — one of 6 recipients born in Philippines. Nisperos died on September 1, 1922 in San Fernando, Union, Philippine Islands, at the age of 34. He is buried at New Municipal Cemetery in San Fernando, Philippines.
Nisperos is one of 6 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1911 actions against outlaws in the Philippines.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so 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.
- Age at death: 34
- Resting place: New Municipal Cemetery
Places
Timeline
- December 30, 1887Born in San Fernando, Union, Luzon, Philippine Islands
- September 24, 1911Act of valor — Lapurap, Basilan Island, Philippine IslandsAge 23. 34th Company, Philippine Scouts
- February 3, 1913Medal of Honor presentedManila, Philippine Islands (Parade Grounds), presented by Mrs. J. Franklin Bell (wife of the commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Bell)
- September 1, 1922Died in San Fernando, Union, Philippine IslandsAge 34.
- Resting placeNew Municipal CemeterySan Fernando
Biography
José Balitón Nísperos (December 30, 1887 – September 1, 1922) was a member of the Philippine Scouts who received the Medal of Honor during the Moro Rebellion. 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. Nísperos became the first Filipino and Asian to receive the Medal of Honor; the medal was presented by Brigadier General Bell in February 1913. Nisperos joined the Philippine Scouts in December 1907.
From the Wikipedia article “José B. Nísperos”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
