A Philippine Army (PA) officer who led a daring ambush against terrorist forces during the Marawi siege in 2017 was awarded the 2024 Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms by the United States Military Academy or West Point graduates last week.
Major Floren Herrera, who graduated from the West Point in 2013, was presented the award by the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) at the Cadet Mess Hall of West Point in New York City on Oct. 10, making him the first Filipino graduate of the academy to receive the much-coveted medal.
In his acceptance speech, the Philippine Consulate General in New York said that Herrera reflected on his journey as a leader and the sacrifices made by his fellow soldiers, emphasizing that true success is not measured by rank or accolades, but by the sustainable difference one makes in the lives of others and in the organizations they lead.
“Amid the evolving security landscape, it is crucial to remain steadfast in advancing the causes for which they fought — for duty, honor, and country,” Herrera was quoted as saying by the Philippine Consulate General in New York, as he paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the Marawi siege, vowing to honor their bravery and remember their sacrifices.
In a separate statement from the WPAOG, it said that Herrera, then a first lieutenant, displayed “remarkable bravery and leadership” as the executive officer of PA’s 2nd Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion during the Marawi siege which helped to take back the Islamic City from more than 1,000 foreign militants and local terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) after a five-month long urban battle.
“Herrera daringly maneuvered his platoon around a 50-meter open area and tactically seized a building, paving the way for a successful ambush against unsuspecting enemy forces. His actions resulted in a significant number of enemy casualties and saved the lives of troops who were in the enemy’s kill zone,” the WPAOG said.
“Furthermore, during the clearing of several buildings occupied by enemy snipers, Herrera displayed exceptional bravery and tactical expertise by maneuvering his platoon through unexpected avenues of approach and catching the enemy by surprise,” it added.
Herrera, according to the group, was also instrumental in the neutralization of two key terrorist leaders when he spearheaded an assault in the buildings adjacent to their occupied structure.
“All these achievements are a testament to Herrera’s courage, tactical expertise, and dedication to the safety of his troops,” the WPAOG stated.
Herrera accepted the award "in honor of the memories of my fallen comrades and heroes of Marawi."
Nininger award
Herrera’s heroics were more than enough for him to cop the Nininger award, which is given to West Point graduates who have displayed courage in combat and upheld the values of West Point.
The award is named after Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger, USMA Class of 1941, who was sent to the Philippines to fight alongside the Philippine Scouts during the World War II.
Attached to the 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts, Nininger joined another company because his unit was not yet engaged in combat during the first month of the Japanese invasion. He was posthumously awarded the first Medal of Honor in World War II for actions near Abucay, Bataan on January 12, 1942.
Herrera served in the same Scout Ranger Regiment as Nininger, according to the WPAOG.
The Alexander R. Nininger Award is funded by a generous endowment from Edgar Doug Kenna of USMA Class of 1945 and his wife, Jean.
Prior to the awarding at West Point, a separate ceremony was held by the Philippine Consulate General in New York where Herrera was presented with a commemorative US Congressional Gold Medal Coin in honor of Filipino World War II veterans for their service alongside US forces.
Bemedaled officer
Because of Herrera’s heroics, he was awarded multiple medals, including the Distinguished Conduct Star, the Philippines’ second highest award for heroism (equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross), on February 20, 2020.
He was also awarded three Gold Cross Medals, the Philippines’ third highest award for heroism (equivalent to the Silver Star Medal): the first for leading his platoon in an intense and close encounter against a numerically superior enemy of Abu Sayyaf Group members on December 30, 2015; the second for leading a mission to engage and defeat a group of 150 foreign and local terrorists in Barangay Gacap, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, from April 22-24, 2017; and the third for leading a team to rescue hostages held by foreign and local terrorists on October 19, 2017.
Herrera was also awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal (equivalent to a U.S. Purple Heart) for wounds sustained as a member of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command, during an encounter against Maute Terrorist Group in Marawi City on September 8, 2017.
The PA congratulated Herrera for his recent feat.
"The whole Army stands proud of his exceptional achievements and bravery which are worthy of emulation. He is an insipiration not only to the Philippine Army but to all Filipinos," PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.
"His outstanding accomplishment embodies the true spirit and courage of a Filipino warrior who can stand against all odss to protect our people and defend our nation," he added.