Rafel Toro

Private Rafel Toro (born in Humacao, Puerto Rico) 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 Nicargua 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.

Navy Cross citation

Authority - USMC Communiqué: 205227 ACE-jfb (21 December 1927) Born: at Humacao, Puerto Rico Home Town: Humacao, Puerto Rico

Honors

On May 28 2007 — Memorial Day — 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 Recordacion" (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.

Awards and decorations

Among Rafel Toro's awards and decorations are the following:

•   Navy Cross
•   Purple Heart
•   Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans-Military
• Puerto Rican recipients of the Navy Cross