Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private First Class Fernando Luis Garcia was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 5, 1952 in Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). Garcia was 22 years old.
Garcia was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 25, 1953.
Garcia was born on October 14, 1929 in Utuado, Puerto Rico. His Medal of Honor is credited to San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is buried at Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Puerto Rico.
Garcia is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 4 credited to Puerto Rico.
Official Medal of Honor 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 one 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
While participating in the defense of a combat outpost located more than one 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.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 5, 1952).
- Age at death: 22
- Resting place: Puerto Rico National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Fernando Luis Garcia received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Puerto Rico →
Timeline
- October 14, 1929Born in Utuado, Puerto Rico
- September 5, 1952Act of valor — KoreaAge 22. Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) Killed in action.
- October 25, 1953Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placePuerto Rico National CemeteryPuerto Rico
Biography
Fernando Luis García (October 14, 1929 – September 5, 1952) was a United States Marine Corps private first class who was killed in action during the Korean War and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty on September 5, 1952, during the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was the first of nine Puerto Rican servicemen to be awarded the Medal of Honor and is the only Puerto Rican Marine to be awarded the medal.
From the Wikipedia article “Fernando Luis García”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- Honoring KIA & POW Medal of Honor Recipientscmohs.org · 2021
