L
lawman56
Guest
-taken from Wikipedia
Corporal Rodolfo Perez "Rudy" Hernandez, (14 April 1931 - 21 December 2013), was a US Army soldier who recieved the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War.
Hernandez was one of eight children born to a farmworker. At a young age his family moved to Fowler, California, where he recieved his primary education. In 1948, when he was 17 years old, he joined the United States Army with his parents consent. After completing basic training, Hernandez volunteered for paratrooper school. Upon completion, he was sent to Germany, where he was stationed until the outbreak of the Korean War.
On August 27, 1950, the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. The unit was quickly sent to Korea where it performed operations into Munsan-ni Valley, and fought bloody battles at Inje and Wonton-ni.
Hernandez was reassigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. His platoon was ordered to defend Hill 420, located near Wonton-ni. On May 31, 1951, his platoon was the object of a numerically superior enemy counterattack. A close-quarters firefight broke out when enemy troops surged up the hill and inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon. Hernandez was wounded during the attack, but was able to fire upon the rushing enemy troops. After a cartridge in his rifle ruptured, he continued attacking the enemy with his bayonet. His attack enabled his comrades to regroup and take back the hill.
A grenade explosion that blew away part of his brain, knocked him unconscious. Hernadez, who had recieved grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds, appeared dead to the first medic that reached him, Keith Oates. Oates realized, however, that Hernandez was still alive when he saw him move his fingers. Hernandez woke up a month later in a military hospital, unable to move his arms or legs, or talk.
On April 22, 1952, President Truman bestowed upon Hernandez the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House.
On a personal note, I had met this man on numerous occasions, both as a Military Policeman at functions, and as a civilian. A wonderful man with a contagious smile. He exemplified what a true hero and Medal of Honor winner should be. His official citation can be read on the Medal of Honor webpage.
Rest in peace my brother. We shall meet again in Heavens hallowed halls.
Corporal Rodolfo Perez "Rudy" Hernandez, (14 April 1931 - 21 December 2013), was a US Army soldier who recieved the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War.
Hernandez was one of eight children born to a farmworker. At a young age his family moved to Fowler, California, where he recieved his primary education. In 1948, when he was 17 years old, he joined the United States Army with his parents consent. After completing basic training, Hernandez volunteered for paratrooper school. Upon completion, he was sent to Germany, where he was stationed until the outbreak of the Korean War.
On August 27, 1950, the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. The unit was quickly sent to Korea where it performed operations into Munsan-ni Valley, and fought bloody battles at Inje and Wonton-ni.
Hernandez was reassigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. His platoon was ordered to defend Hill 420, located near Wonton-ni. On May 31, 1951, his platoon was the object of a numerically superior enemy counterattack. A close-quarters firefight broke out when enemy troops surged up the hill and inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon. Hernandez was wounded during the attack, but was able to fire upon the rushing enemy troops. After a cartridge in his rifle ruptured, he continued attacking the enemy with his bayonet. His attack enabled his comrades to regroup and take back the hill.
A grenade explosion that blew away part of his brain, knocked him unconscious. Hernadez, who had recieved grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds, appeared dead to the first medic that reached him, Keith Oates. Oates realized, however, that Hernandez was still alive when he saw him move his fingers. Hernandez woke up a month later in a military hospital, unable to move his arms or legs, or talk.
On April 22, 1952, President Truman bestowed upon Hernandez the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House.
On a personal note, I had met this man on numerous occasions, both as a Military Policeman at functions, and as a civilian. A wonderful man with a contagious smile. He exemplified what a true hero and Medal of Honor winner should be. His official citation can be read on the Medal of Honor webpage.
Rest in peace my brother. We shall meet again in Heavens hallowed halls.
