Entered Service: 1963

Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Alfred Rascon immigrated with his family to California, where he attended school and grew up thinking he was an American. It was not until after he enlisted in the Army in 1963 that he discovered he was not a citizen. Nevertheless, the Army granted his enlisted and sent him to be trained as a combat medic.

By age 21, then Specialist Rascon was serving in Vietnam when on March 16, 1966, his unit was attacked by North Vietnamese troops. In the fighting that ensued, despite being wounded, Rascon repeatedly ran into the line of fire to tend to the wounded Soldiers. Rascon's heroism that day inspired his battalion to recommend him for the Medal of Honor, a recommendation that was lost in Pentagon paperwork for over 30 years. On February 8, 2000, Rascon was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton.

Following Vietnam, Rascon returned to school earning a college degree. In 1969, he applied for Officer Candidate School and earned a commission as an Infantry Officer. He later graduated from the Special Forces Qualification course and the Defense Language Institute. Rascon later received orders transferring him to the Military Intelligence Branch.

After leaving the Army in 1984, Rascon continued serving his country for several years, by holding various positions within the Justice Department, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Later he found himself serving as the Director of the Selective Service Administration.

With all his achievements, Rascon credits the organization that gave him the opportunity to succeed saying: 'The Army is the only organization that gives you a chance for success regardless of race, sex, or creed. In the Army, your performance is the only thing that is judged, not your family background, education or social circle. The Army opened its gates to me at the age of 17, and I have succeeded above and beyond what anyone would have thought.'

Recently, Rascon gave up his high level government position to return to the Army on Active Duty. He visited both Afghanistan and Iraq motivating and supporting Soldiers in the field. Rascon is quoted as saying, 'The only difference between today and yesterday's military is the advantage of technology. The Soldier, Marine, Airman, and Sailor of today have the same heart and spirit of troops from 30 years ago. The way wars are fought may change, but the character of the individuals who fight them, remains the same.'