destroying it with grenades.

Corporal Victor Espinoza of El Paso helped his unit secure “Old Baldy,” an enemy stronghold, during the Korean conflict. Espinozza destroyed two bunkers, a secret enemy tunnel, and a machine gun position in the battle to take the strategically-important location.

Sergeant Mike C. Pena, from Newgulf, Texas served in the Korean War. He provided machine gun cover for his unit, which had run out of ammunition during a battle, until they could retreat to safety. He was overrun by the enemy and killed protecting his comrades.

Each of the veterans has already been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest honor. That award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor at the ceremony next month.

Cadets toss their hats after becoming first lieutenants at the U.S.war in Vietnam, more than half that time in solitary confinement. He recalled a church service held during that time where a fellow prisoner belted “God Bless America.”

“It was truly the greatest gift each of us had during those endless days of torture, isolation, and starvation,” Johnson said in a statement.

Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, a former Navy pilot who served for nine years, is co-sponsoring the bill. Olson criticized the academy for bending to the pressure of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a watchdog group that lodged several complaints against the academy.

The change in the oath was made by Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson on Oct. 25.

“Here at the Academy, we work to build a culture of dignity and respect,” she said in a statement. “And