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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Cpl. Rodolfo P. Hernandez, US Army
Remarks at the Presentation of the Congressional Medal of Honor to 1st Lt. Lloyd Burke, USA, Cpl . Rodolfo Hernandez, USA, and T. Sgt. Harold E. Wilson, USMC
April 11, 1952
IT HAS been my pleasure this morning to present Medals of Honor to 1st Lt. Lloyd Burke, United States Army, Cpl. Rodolfo Hernandez, United States Army, and T. Sgt. Harold E. Wilson of the United States Marine Corps.
These are wonderful citations. They show just exactly what the fiber of the American people is made of. They show exactly how the young men feel toward their Government. They show the sacrifices that they are willing to make to support and keep that Government a free one from now on.
They set an example which all of you ought to be proud to listen to, and I congratulate every single one of them. And I congratulate the corps to which they belong.
Thank you.
NOTE: The President spoke at 12:35 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White House. The text of the citations was not made public.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Corporal , U.S. Army, Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Place and date: Near Wontong-ni Korea , 31 May 1951 . Entered service at: Fowler, Calif. Born: 14 April 1931 , Colton , Calif. G.O. No.: 40, 21 April 1962 . Citation: Cpl. Hernandez, a member of Company G, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His platoon, in defensive positions on Hill 420, came under ruthless attack by a numerically superior and fanatical hostile force, accompanied by heavy artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire which inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon. His comrades were forced to withdraw due to lack of ammunition but Cpl. Hernandez, although wounded in an exchange of grenades, continued to deliver deadly fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants until a ruptured cartridge rendered his rifle inoperative. Immediately leaving his position, Cpl. Hernandez rushed the enemy armed only with rifle and bayonet. Fearlessly engaging the foe, he killed 6 of the enemy before falling unconscious from grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds but his heroic action momentarily halted the enemy advance and enabled his unit to counterattack and retake the lost ground. The indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage, and tenacious devotion to duty clearing demonstrated by Cpl. Hernandez reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.
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