Jose F. Valdez

Private First Class Jose Francisco Valdez, later known as Jose Frank Valdez, was a United States Army soldier who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War II. Born in Gobernador, New Mexico, Valdez enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 1944. He was assigned to Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, and deployed to Europe to fight in the European Theater.

In January 1945, Valdez participated in the Battle of the Colmar Pocket. On January 25, near Bennwihr station, France, he volunteered to cover his patrol's retreat under heavy enemy fire. Despite being severely wounded during the action, he successfully held off the enemy, saving his comrades. He succumbed to his injuries three weeks later.

For his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice, Valdez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1946. He is honored with various memorials, including the naming of the USNS Private Jose F. Valdez (T-AG-169) and a dedicated monument in his birthplace of Gobernador, New Mexico.