Hispanics have served this country for decades and Corporal Joseph H. De Castro was the first Hispanic recipient of the U.S.'s highest distinction, the Medal of Honor.
Cpl. De Castro, born 1844 in Boston, Massachusetts, was a member of the all-volunteer 19th Massachusetts Infantry. He distinguished himself during Pickett's Charge in the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. According to Wikipedia, De Castro attacked a flag bearer of the Confederate's 19th Virginia Infantry, with a staff of his own colors. He grabbed the Confederate flag and handed it to General Alexander S. Webb.
General Webb said, "At the instant a man broke through my lines and thrust a rebel battle flag into my hands. He never said a word and darted back. It was Corporal Joseph H. De Castro, one of my color bearers."
De Castro was one of seven men from the 19th Massachusetts Infantry to receive the Medal of Honor.
I could not find a picture or video of Corporal De Castro but here is a montage of Latino recipients of the Medal of Honor.
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