Philippine Army officer gets West Point award for valor

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Army officer was honored as the first Filipino West Point graduate to receive the Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms for his heroic actions and leadership during the Battle of Marawi.

For the first time in its 19-year history, the Nininger Award was presented to a US Military Academy international graduate.

A Class of 2013 graduate, Philippine Army Maj. Floren Herrera accepted the award during a ceremony in the Cadet Mess Hall at West Point on Oct. 10.

According to a statement on the US Army’s website, “Herrera’s heroic actions and leadership during the Battle of Marawi against 1,000 foreign militants and local terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) led him to be nominated and selected as this year’s award winner.”

Herrera emphasized the importance of leading from the front.

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.

“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,” the statement read.

As a result of his bravery and leadership, Herrera received the Distinguished Conduct Star, the Philippines’ second-highest award for heroism and equivalent to the US Army’s Distinguished Service Cross.

Before the award ceremony, Herrera was able to sit down with current cadets who are part of the academy’s Asian Pacific Cadet Club (APAC) – including Filipino exchange cadets Rafael Muñoz, Class of 2025; and Renzo Almodovar, Class of 2026 – with whom he discussed his actions and provided insight and advice on how to be successful military officers.

While he attributes the success of the battle to those in his unit, he recognized that his time at the academy played a vital role in his development as an officer in the Philippine Army.

“The thing we hear at West Point is lead from the front. It is what was expected when I got back to the Philippines (after I graduated) because the Scout Rangers are pretty much like the 75th Ranger Regiment here (in the US),” Herrera said. “We do special operations missions, so part of the expectations for officers, for that unit, is you must be able to lead from the front, especially in combat.”

In addition to the Nininger Award and the Distinguished Conduct Star, Herrera was also awarded the Filipino Gold Star Medal, the equivalent of the US Army’s Silver Star Medal, and the Wounded Personnel Medal, equivalent to a US Purple Heart.

“West Point prepares you to be a platoon leader. You have the tools to lead your troops. Regardless of the situation, whether you are tired, angry, whatever, make sure you are composed in your decision-making,” Herrera added. “Leading from the front, decision-making, trusting your guys and promoting teamwork – those are the most important things as a leader.”

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 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts.

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