'A way to inspire our kids': Homes sought for remaining prints of Utah Medal of Honor recipient

SALT LAKE CITY — More than 81 years ago, Army Pfc. Jose Valdez died after suffering severe injuries on a battlefield in France, one of many casualties of World War II.

His legacy lives on — he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery that day in 1945 — and now his boosters are making a final push to ensure he's remembered. They seek homes for the seven framed prints of the man that remain, ideally in schools, and gathered on Monday to spread the word.

"This is a way to inspire our kids because a lot of kids, they don't know the impressive things their fellow Utahns have done," said Kraig Thorne, commander of the Timpanogos post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in American Fork. Valdez was from Pleasant Grove, and Thorne and his post are helping spearhead the effort for the Utah County-based group.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy, a Republican and the 3rd District representative, attended Monday's tribute at the Utah Capitol as did a contingent of kids from Mountainville Academy, a charter school in Alpine, where one of the prints is headed.

"He stood his ground fighting for the American dream and for our freedoms," Kennedy said. "I believe that in our own way that our country needs to also remember these individuals and stay the ground that we're on and make sure that we don't forget our veterans, not just for one afternoon or for one ceremony, but forever."

Valdez is one of just five Utahns who have earned the Medal of Honor and the only Latino among them. He received the honor for his heroic efforts near Rosenkrantz, France, on Jan. 25, 1945, fighting off a German attack.

While on a patrol, Valdez, just 20, fended off an attacking German tank and shot and killed three German soldiers nearing the group. As more Germans launched an offensive, Valdez provided cover for his fellow soldiers, sustaining a bullet wound to his stomach but continuing his efforts until the patrol members were back behind friendly lines.

He continued the efforts, calling for artillery help via a field telephone, holding off some 200 enemy soldiers for 15 minutes until they withdrew. Paralyzed from the waist down, he dragged himself back to American lines but died of his severe wounds on Feb. 17, 1945.

The heroic effort he exhibited is "hard to explain because not everybody has that courage, not everybody has that within them to just say, 'Hey, I'm willing to give my life for my brothers in arms,' which he did," said Johnny Martinez, a relative from American Fork who also attended Monday's event.

Martinez, who served in the Marine Corps, said initiatives to remember Valdez and other military heroes like him are vital. Around 30 framed portraits of Valdez have already been distributed to schools around Utah and other entities.

"I think it's important that our children nowadays understand the price that was paid for the freedoms and liberties that they enjoy today," he said. "Too often we get caught up in the worldly things, and we don't really understand or realize where these freedoms and liberties come from, and especially when they're under attack."

In his message, Kennedy sounded a broader appeal to the public to support the nation's military veterans. An appropriations bill is under consideration to boost spending on veterans and the military service by 3%, or $4 billion. "We're invested in making sure our veterans and our military servants are well cared for," he said, noting the presence of 113,000 veterans in Utah and 15.8 million across the country.

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The Valdez print headed to Mountainville Academy will be placed on a wall holding copies of historic U.S. artifacts like the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, according to Jason Nielson, the school's vice principal. Those interested in getting one of the remaining prints may reach out to Thorne at kraigthorne@yahoo.com.

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