Officer who battled IS, Abu Sayyaf militants to receive West Point valor award

Maj. Floren Herrera of the Class of 2013, will receive the 2024 Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms, which will be presented at West Point, New York on October 10, 2024. The award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated valor on the field of battle.

The announcement was made by the West Point Association of Graduates, the alumni association for the United States Military Academy (USMA). 

Then-1st Lt. Herrera, who hails from the province of Cagayan according to an article in Positively Filipino,  displayed remarkable bravery from June 12 to October 16, 2017, as the executive officer of 2nd Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, Philippine Army, and leadership during the Battle of Marawi against 1,000 foreign militants and local terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State.

A press statement states that “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. 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. Herrera was also instrumental in the neutralization of two key terrorist leaders when he spearheaded the 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.”

For his actions, Maj. Herrera was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star, the Philippines’ second highest award for heroism (equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross), on February 20, 2020. Herrera 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. On September 8, 2017, Herrera was awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal (equivalent to a U.S. Purple Heart) for wounds sustained as a member of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, SOCOM, Philippine Army during an encounter against Maute Terrorist Group in Marawi City. 

Maj. Herrera has had several assignments and positions in different units and offices within the Philippines Military Academy (PMA) and the Philippine Army, including Scout Ranger platoon leader,  Scout Ranger executive officer, Scout Ranger company commander. The Scout Ranger regiment is an elite unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, specializing in reconnaissance and unconventional warfare. Serving in this regiment requires a high level of physical fitness, endurance, and mental fortitude.

“Herrera’s heroism and valor are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect worthy recognition upon him, the United States Military Academy, and the Philippine Army,” says the statement.

The Nininger Awardis named in recognition of the heroic actions of Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger, USMA Class of 1941. After commissioning, LT Nininger was sent to the Philippines attached to the 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts. During the first month of the Japanese invasion, Nininger voluntarily joined another company because his unit was not yet engaged in combat. He was posthumously awarded the first Medal of Honor in World War II for actions near Abucay, Bataan on Jan 12, 1942.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines hailed the selection of Herrera for the award which is bestowed “upon a graduate who exemplifies extraordinary heroism in combat.”

“This is a prestigious award,” declared Desiree Gilman, director of Mercure Global, a consulting company engaged in the practice and development of aerospace, defense and transportation technologies. “This is the first time a foreign officer is awarded the Nininger Award. This is also the first time that the  Nininger Award will be given to a Filipino,” she told The FilAm in an email interview.

Gilman said the Filipino community in the U.S. and the Philippines will be broadly represented during the award ceremony that is expected to run for three days at the military academy. The first day will be a parade and formal dinner at the legendary mess hall with the entire Corp of Cadets and top brass, she said. The second day is a football game at Michie Stadium where Major Herrera will be the guest of honor. The third day will be spent with the cadets.

“There are two tourist buses full of FilAms who will be attending the ceremony. Some 110 FilAms are coming to West Point,” she shared.

Gilman, who is married to lawyer and West Point alumnus Derek Gilman (Class of 1983) , said a complementary event will happen at the same time as the Nininger Award.

The West Point Museum will receive a donation of a Douglas MacArthur portrait commissioned by community leader and internist Dr. Lestrino Baquiran. The portrait was depicted by artist Angelo Maristela.

Derek Gilman informed Mike Lyons, Major Gifts Officerat West Point of a proposed donation, and Lyons  said the two events could happen at the same time.

“So expect two events, the donation and the Nininger Award,” said Desiree Gilman. —West Point; Cristina DC Pastor