Puerto Ricans in the Vietnam War Cambodia from 1959 to April 30, 1975. Puerto Ricans served in different positions throughout the military as commanders, fighter pilots and common foot soldiers. Many of them distinguished themselves in combat and were awarded the highest honors conferred by the military. Five were awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest United States military decoration; five were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the second-highest military decoration of the United States Army; and two received the Navy Cross, the second-highest medal that can be awarded by the U.S. Navy. The Navy Cross is awarded to members of the U.S. Navy or
Hasta pura (military decoration) to a soldier who had struck down an enemy in a sally or skirmish. Tacitus records a "hasta pura" being given as a decoration, bestowed upon a soldier for saving the life of a fellow-citizen: A civil servant called Tiberius Claudius Balbilus was awarded the "hasta pura" and perhaps also the "corona aurea" by Claudius during the triumph to celebrate the conquest of Britain in AD 44. As a friend and part of the Emperor’s retinue, it seems likely that his awards, as much as his military rank, were honorary. The "hasta pura" was also recorded as being given to