Dear Editor,
There is nobleness in the sacrifice of money, there is nobleness
in the sacrifice of community service but the ultimate nobility
resides in the ultimate sacrifice.
Dear Editor,
There is nobleness in the sacrifice of money, there is nobleness in the sacrifice of community service but the ultimate nobility resides in the ultimate sacrifice.
Reginald B. Desiderio is a Congressional Medal of Honor honoree who made that sacrifice near Ipsok, Korea during that war. Reginald B. Desiderio attended, played football and basketball and graduated from Gilroy High School. He entered the military at Gilroy, and had planned after his military career to settle and establish a business in Gilroy.
Reggie now rests at San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio in San Francisco. He was killed near Ipsok, Korea on Nov. 27, 1950. The Congressional Medal of Honor was bestowed upon him posthumously for his gallantry in that battle. I think it would be a fitting tribute to all the fallen, whether of long ago or recent past, to have the new elementary school named after Congressional Medal of Honor honoree Reginald B. Desiderio.
He is not someone I am familiar with because of lore or history books, but because the name Reggie was a name I heard in hushed conversation in my childhood years. It was my parents’ deliberate attempt to keep from me death and war, but I always knew in those overheard conversations that of whom they spoke was revered, loved and lost. Reggie lived with my mother’s family on Dowdy Street for a time in his adolescent and young adult years. It was later in life that I came to understand that he was my mother’s first cousin and my father’s best friend. My father, late in his life, told me that Reggie was the most loyal of friends.
That resolute trait was reflected in his Congressional Medal of Honor citation that reads: “Capt. Desiderio distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His company was given the mission of defending the command post of a task force against an enemy breakthrough. After personal reconnaissance during darkness and under intense enemy fire, he placed his men in defensive positions to repel an attack. Early in the action he was wounded, but refused evacuation and despite enemy fire continued to move among his men checking their positions and making sure that each element was prepared to receive the next attack. Again wounded, he continued to direct his men. By his inspiring leadership he encouraged them to hold their position. In the subsequent fighting when the fanatical enemy succeeded in penetrating the position, he personally charged them with carbine, rifle and grenades, inflicting many casualties until he himself was mortally wounded. His men, spurred on by his intrepid example, repelled this final attack. Capt. Desiderio’s heroic leadership, courageous and loyal devotion to duty, and his complete disregard for personal safety reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.”
The Medal of Honor bestowed upon Reginald B. Desiderio is described by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society as: “… the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress. It is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
It is those whom have gone through the military experience that realize the depth of the honor of that highest of military tributes. Gilroy Post 217 of the American Legion, Las Animas Post 669 of The American Legion, John A. Berri Post 6309 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American G.I. Forum Gilroy Post have all endorsed Reginald B. Desiderio as the name for the new elementary school. John L. Anderson Adjutant for Gilroy Post #217 very eloquently summed up the reason for their endorsement:
“It is very refreshing to know that there is a desire and movement to name a Gilroy school after a former Gilroy school student and war hero. His military accomplishments read like a movie star’s role. We are proud reading of his accomplishments knowing we are reading about a person that not only lived, but actually lived in Gilroy. By naming a school after Captain Desiderio we are associating a man and a hero with a school bearing his name. I am sure that this association would be a source of pride and historical interest for all of its students. Gilroy Post #217 would be pleased and proud if the Gilroy Unified School District would name the school replacing Las Animas Elementary School Reginald B. Desiderio School.”
Along with all the other honorable and distinguished names brought forward concerning naming of the new elementary school I would respectfully like to submit the name of Reginald B. Desiderio to that roster.
John G. Filice, Gilroy
