81R5556 MMS-D
By: Martinez Fischer H.C.R. No. 209
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established
to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a Texan in the state or
federal military forces, and through his courageous actions in
Vietnam, U.S. Marine Corporal Roy Cisneros of San Antonio proved
himself a worthy candidate for this prestigious honor; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 6, 1949, Roy Cisneros attended
Cenizo Park Elementary School, Truman Middle School, and Edgewood
High School; following his graduation in 1967, he joined the
marines and trained at Camp Pendleton, California; in December
1967, he deployed to Vietnam, where he became a squad leader with
Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division
(Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force; and
WHEREAS, On September 11, 1968, Corporal Cisneros was
conducting a reconnaissance in force in Quang Tri, the northernmost
province in the Republic of Vietnam, when his company came under
intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from an opposing
company of North Vietnamese soldiers occupying fortified positions
on a hill; during the ensuing combat, Corporal Cisneros skillfully
maneuvered his squad across the hazardous terrain and directed his
men's fire with devastating accuracy, destroying three enemy
bunkers; and
WHEREAS, With his squad pinned down by a heavy volume of fire
from a fourth emplacement, Corporal Cisneros advanced alone and
sought single-handedly to destroy the position; after firing a
light antitank assault weapon into the bunker, he hurled hand
grenades at the defenders and then opened fire with his rifle as he
aggressively continued his assault; disregarding his own safety, he
was delivering an effective attack on the emplacement when he was
mortally wounded; and
WHEREAS, The resolute determination and fighting spirit
demonstrated by Corporal Cisneros inspired all who observed him,
and he was instrumental in his unit's accounting for 45 North
Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed; as a result of his actions,
Corporal Cisneros was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the
second highest honor for valor that can be bestowed on a marine; and
WHEREAS, Through his unhesitating selflessness and his
steadfast devotion to duty, honor, and this country, Corporal Roy
Cisneros embodied the highest ideals of the United States Marine
Corps, and he most assuredly merits the award of this state's
supreme military medal; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby posthumously confer the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on
U.S. Marine Corporal Roy Cisneros in tribute to his heroic service
in Vietnam and express profound appreciation on behalf of all his
fellow Texans; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives and Senate.