Enrique Romero-Nieves

Private First Class Enrique Romero-Nieves born in Culebra, Puerto Rico, was a member of the United States Marine Corps who served in the Korean War. He was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross for heroism in battle.

Enrique Romero Nieves was born in Culebra, PR and lived with he's parents in Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands were he attended schools in Frederiksted until he joined the U.S. Marines Corps on November 8, 1951, and sent for boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Parris Island, South Carolina.

Was sent to Korea where he was assigned to Company A 1st Battalion 7th Marines. Was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions against enemy forces on 26 October 1952.

ROMERO-NIEVES, ENRIQUECitation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Enrique Romero-Nieves (1240226), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 26 October 1952. When both the platoon commander and sergeant were wounded and evacuated during his platoon's night counterattack against a bitterly defended hill mass which had been overrun by the enemy a few hours before, Private First Class Romero-Nieves unhesitatingly continued the attack in the face of intense artillery, mortar, automatic-weapons and grenade fire and skillfully directed the emplacement of a machine gun within seventy-five yards of the hostile position to increase the volume of covering and supporting fire fore the final assault on an enemy bunker. Armed only with hand grenades, he single-handedly charged the bunker and, although knocked down and painfully wounded by an enemy grenade, which rendered his left arm useless, quickly regained his feet and again stormed the bunker. Unable to pull the bin of a grenade with his wounded left hand, he coolly extracted the pin by hooking it in his belt buckle and hurled the deadly missile into the bunker, killing six of the enemy and enabling his comrades to continue in the assault. His intrepid fighting spirit, resolute determination and courageous initiative were contributing factors in the recapture of the platoon's objective and reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Romero-Nieves and the United States Naval Service. Authority: Board Serial 423 (June 1, 1953) Born: at Culebra, Puerto Rico Home Town: Culebra, Puerto Rico

Among Enrique Romero-Nieves awards and decorations are the following:

•   Navy Cross
•   Purple Heart
•   Navy Unit Commendation
•   National Defense Service Medal
•   Korean Service Medal
•   United Nations Service Medal
•   Korean War Service Medal
•   Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

The American Legion Post 102 in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands was named Enrique Romero Nieves Post #102.