Two 1st Infantry Division veterans, Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel and Sgt. Candelario Garcia, are among the 24 set to receive the Medal of Honor at a March 18 ceremony at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.

Fort Riley officials report that the 24 World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans were recognized with Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award. After a re-evaluation of the Soldier’s records and dditional supporting evidence, the DSCs were upgraded to Medals of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for gallantry and valorous actions.

Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel, a native of Queens, N.Y., served in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Inf. Div.  Nietzel is being recognized for his actions in Heistern, Germany, on Nov. 18, 1944. When an enemy assault threatened to overrun his unit’s position, Nietzel selflessly covered for the retreating members of his squad, expending all his ammunition and holding his post until he was killed by an enemy hand grenade.

Sgt. Candelario Garcia, a native of Corsicana, Texas, served in Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Inf. Div.  Garcia distinguished himself Dec. 8, 1968, as a team leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Lai Khe, Vietnam. Garcia destroyed two enemy machine gun positions in an attempt to aid casualties that were in the open and under fire. Garcia then rejoined his company in a successful assault on the remaining enemy positions.

Garcia died Jan. 10, 2013, in Corsicana.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston, the 1st Inf. Div.’s senior noncommissioned officer, is set to accept the Medal of Honor from the president on behalf of Garcia and his family.