Maj. Floren Herrera —Screengrab from the Official Instagram of the US Military Academy

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Army officer made history as the first non-American recipient of the US Military Academy’s (USMA) Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms.

Maj. Floren Herrera, a graduate of USMA or West Point in 2013, was honored in a ceremony in New York last week for his leadership during the Battle of Marawi, a five-month battle between government troops and Islamic State-linked militants in 2017, which killed thousands.

“From June 12 to Oct. 16, 2017, while serving as the executive officer of the 2nd Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in the Philippine Army, Herrera maneuvered his platoon around a 50-meter open area to tactically seize a building, paving the way for a successful ambush against enemy forces,” the US Army said in a news release.

His efforts resulted in “a significant number of enemy casualties and saved the lives of his troops who were in the enemy’s kill zone,” it said. Back home, he was previously awarded with the Distinguished Conduct Star, the Philippines’ second-highest military honor for combat and the Wounded Personnel Medal, for his role in Marawi.

Herrera’s bravery and tactical expertise are reminiscent of Nininger, USMA Class of 1941, who fought in the Philippines during World War II with the Philippine Scouts, according to the US Army.

Nininger voluntarily joined another company as his unit was not yet involved in combat to fight against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. He was posthumously awarded the first Medal of Honor in World War II for his actions near Abucay, Bataan, on Jan. 12, 1942.

The Alexander R. Nininger Award is funded by a generous endowment from Edgar Doug Kenna of USMA Class of 1945 and his wife, Jean. It was created in 2006 to recognize “an exemplar of heroic action in battle.”

Herrera paid tribute to his comrades in Marawi in his acceptance remarks during the ceremony as he reflected on their lives and the life of Nininger.

“We must ensure the sacrifices of those who gave their lives are not wasted … Therefore, amid the rapidly evolving security landscape that continues to pose challenges to our nation, we must remain steadfast. As instruments of change, advancing all they fought for, for duty, for honor and for country,” he was quoted as saying.

Herrera, deputy chief of the Army’s Scout Ranger Capability Office, received four other Gold Cross Medals, the third highest award for valor, in other military operations.

Prior to the awarding ceremony, Herrera was also presented with a commemorative US Congressional Gold Medal Coin in honor of Filipino World War II veterans for their service alongside US forces at a separate event, according to a statement of the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

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