Emmanuel Laderas Legaspi
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 7 May 2006, then-Staff Sergeant Emmanuel Laderas Legaspi was serving with the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, SSG Legaspi's unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces near Tal Afar, Iraq. SSG Legaspi's courageous actions and devotion to duty that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Action Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Emmanuel Laderas Legaspi, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 7 May 2006, near Tal Afar, Iraq. Staff Sergeant Legaspi's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, at the cost his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Armored Division, and the United States Army.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Emmanuel Laderas Legaspi is buried at Palm Memorial Park Northwest in Las Vegas, Clark County, NV.