5 San Antonio veterans honored for service during Korean War

Men received recognition for being awarded Congressional Gold Medal

SAN ANTONIO – Five local veterans were finally honored Monday for their service to the country more than six decades ago.

The veterans were honored here at home for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony during the Northeast Neighborhood Alliance meeting.

The veterans were presented with the medal in Washington this past April for their bravery, valor and determination in the Korean War. The men were with a regiment out of Puerto Rico and part of the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Borinqueneers."

"They moved us up to the front line," said SGM Victor Lopez, one of the Congressional Gold Medal recipients. "I didn't know what I was doing. I was just fighting."

Lopez said he remembers being taught how to use different weapons and getting moved to the front line.

"That was my first experience. It was a scary experience. I thank the Lord that I survived."

Lopez said he was proud to be honored in this way.

"It means a lot to the Puerto Rican people," Lopez said. "It means a lot to me."

"I'm proud always of what I've done," said SFC Ismael Nevarez, another Congressional Gold Medal recipient, who also served in WWII. "It's the best country to live and you have to fight for it. If you don't fight for it, who's going to keep our country alive?"

Nevarez said he is also proud of his daughter, Olga Custodio, who became the first Hispanic female pilot in the Air Force.

"She makes me very proud of what she has accomplished," Nevarez said.

"He taught me how to serve the country," said Custodio. "And, he taught me to be the person I am today."


About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.