Private First Class Joseph (José) Raúl Martinez born in San Germán, Puerto Rico served in the U.S. Army 335th Infantry Regiment in World War II. PFC Joseph Martinez destroyed a German Infantry unit and tank in Tunis by providing heavy artillery fire, saving his platoon from being attacked in the process. He received the Distinguished Service Cross from General George S. Patton, thus becoming the first Puerto Rican recipient of said military decoration. PFC Joseph Martinez was the first Puerto Rican U.S. Army soldier to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.