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Uvalde native posthumously awarded Bronze Star Medal


Former war prisoner was killed in action

Kimberly Rubio

Assistant editor

Uvalde native Santiago “Jimmy” Hernandez-Esparza was killed in action in Belgium on Dec. 23, 1944, just two months after he escaped captivity as a prisoner of war. On Thursday, nearly 74 years after his death, his sisters were presented with his Bronze Star Medal.

The medal is a United States decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone.

In addition to the Bronze Star, Hernandez-Esparza received the Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Fourragere award and Distinguished Unit Citation.

Hernandez-Esparza was born on July 24, 1924, in Uvalde to Manuela and Gabriel Esparza. At the time of his birth, his parents resided at 539 Boone St. According to his family, Hernandez-Esparza was known as a talented running back for the Uvalde Coyotes when he was drafted by the United States Army. His service began on July 12, 1943.

Hernandez-Esparza volunteered for the paratroopers and graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia on Jan. 22, 1944. Afterward, he was sent overseas to England and eventually assigned to Company B, 1/505 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division.

On Sept. 17, 1944, Hernandez-Esparza participated in Operation Market Garden in Holland. The operation was his first combat jump.

“The movie ‘A Bridge Too Far’ is about this operation,” said Alex Castillo, a member of American Legion Post 479.

According to Castillo, Manuela Esparza received a telegram on Oct. 24, 1944, notifying her of her son’s missing-in-action status.

“Jimmy had been reported as missing in action as of the 20th of September,” Castillo said. “Somehow, Jimmy was captured by the Germans and was a prisoner of war for about three weeks.”

While being transported to a permanent prison camp, Hernandez-Esparza and other soldiers managed to jump off the transport trucks and escape.

“By living off the land, eating turnips and any produce they could find, Jimmy and his British comrades were able to survive,” Castillo said. “Eventually, with the help of the Dutch Resistance, Jimmy and some 130 other Allied soldiers were able to return to American forces.”

According to Castillo, Hernandez-Esparza’s unit went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. He was killed in action in Belgium.

“The Purple Heart is the only medal that Jimmy’s mother received from the U.S. government. Today we are correcting this oversight. It should not have taken this long,” Castillo said.

“With the help of Senator John Cornyn’s office in Dallas, and after much research, also inquiring with the department of the Army and some frustrating moments, I was able to obtain the medals due to Jimmy’s family.”

Castillo also thanked Hernandez-Esparza’s family for providing necessary documents.

“Thank you for caring and not forgetting what your brother did for our great nation. Let us all remember that freedom is not free,” Castillo said.

krubio@ulnnow.com, 278-3335

Kimberly Rubio|Leader-NewsOlivia Flores, Epifania “Pife” Flores and Telesfora “Fora” Garcia (left to right) pose for a picture after American Legion Post 479 presented the sisters with several medals, including the Bronze Star, in honor of their late brother, U.S. Army Pvt. Santiago “Jimmy” Hernandez-Esparza, who was killed in action in Belgium on Dec. 23, 1944. The medal was presented to the siblings on Thursday at the legion’s 583 W. Main St. facility.

Kimberly Rubio|Leader-NewsOlivia Flores, Epifania “Pife” Flores and Telesfora “Fora” Garcia (left to right) pose for a picture after American Legion Post 479 presented the sisters with several medals, including the Bronze Star, in honor of their late brother, U.S. Army Pvt. Santiago “Jimmy” Hernandez-Esparza, who was killed in action in Belgium on Dec. 23, 1944. The medal was presented to the siblings on Thursday at the legion’s 583 W. Main St. facility.

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