PDA

View Full Version : Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient



thedrifter
02-26-08, 08:05 AM
Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

Pfc. Fernando Luis Garcia, USMC

http://images33.fotki.com/v1118/photos/1/106521/5161277/FernandoGarcia1-vi.jpg

The Nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor, was awarded posthumously to a Puerto Rican Marine, Private First Class Fernando Luis Garcia. Private Garcia was the 38th Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean Conflict.

Private Garcia was a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in Korea, when he sacrificed his life by throwing himself on an enemy grenade to save a comrade, 5 September 1952, at Outpost Bruce in the Bunker Hill" area. The outpost had been under a pre-dawn enemy attack for almost an hour. Garcia, already wounded, was obtaining hand grenades from Staff Sergeant Floyd V. Wiley, the acting platoon sergeant when an enemy grenade landed nearby. "I'll get it shouted Garcia and he threw himself upon the missile just as it exploded.

The sergeant was wounded and knocked unconscious by the explosion. When he recovered he found Garcia dead. Later the enemy completely overran the position and Garcia's body was not recovered.

Born on 14 October 1929, at Utuado, Puerto Rico, Private Garcia went to both grade and high school there. He was working as a file clerk for the Texas Company in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when he was inducted into the Marine Corps on 19 September 1951.

On completing "boot" training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was promoted to private first class in December 1951. The following month he was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, for further training. In March 1952, he embarked for Korea where he joined the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines. On 5 September of that year, he was killed in action.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Private Garcia's medals and decorations include: the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

Private Garcia is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. German Garcia-Toledo of Utuado, Puerto Rico; two sisters, Daisy and Carmen; and a brother Hector. On 25 October 1953, at a ceremony held in the City Hall at Utuado Private Garcia's parents were presented his Medal of Honor.

On 5 February 1959, Camp Fernando Luis Garcia was dedicated at Vieques, Puerto Rico, in honor of the deceased Marine hero.

CITATION:

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.).
Place and date: Korea, 5 September 1952.
Entered service at: San Juan, P.R.
Born: 14 October 1929, Utuado, P.R.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of Company I, in action against enemy aggressor forces. While participating in the defense of a combat outpost located more than 1 mile forward of the main line of resistance during a savage night attack by a fanatical enemy force employing grenades, mortars, and artillery, Pfc. Garcia, although suffering painful wounds, moved through the intense hail of hostile fire to a supply point to secure more hand grenades. Quick to act when a hostile grenade landed nearby, endangering the life of another marine, as well as his own, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and immediately threw his body upon the deadly missile, receiving the full impact of the explosion. His great personal valor and cool decision in the face of almost certain death sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Ellie