

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.