Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal Rodolfo Perez Hernandez received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 31, 1951 near Wontong-ni, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with 3d Squad, 3d Platoon, Company G, 2d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Hernandez was 20 years old.
The medal was presented on April 11, 1952 — the White House, presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman.
Hernandez was born on April 14, 1931 in Colton, San Bernardino County, California. His Medal of Honor is credited to Fowler, Fresno County, California. Hernandez died on December 21, 2013 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at the age of 82. He is buried at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, North Carolina.
Hernandez is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor 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 machine-gun 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 six 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 clearly demonstrated by Cpl. Hernandez reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
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.
- Age at death: 82
- Resting place: Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Rodolfo Perez Hernandez 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 California →
Timeline
- April 14, 1931Born in Colton, San Bernardino County, California
- May 31, 1951Act of valor — near Wontong-ni, KoreaAge 20. 3d Squad, 3d Platoon, Company G, 2d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team
- April 11, 1952Medal of Honor presentedThe White House, presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman
- December 21, 2013Died in Fayetteville, North CarolinaAge 82.
- Resting placeSandhills State Veterans CemeterySpring Lake, North Carolina
Biography
Rodolfo "Rudy" Pérez Hernández (April 14, 1931 – December 21, 2013) was a United States Army soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor — the United States' highest military decoration — for his actions on May 31, 1951, during the UN May–June 1951 counteroffensive in the Korean War. Despite his severe wounds, Hernández took actions during an enemy counterattack near Wonton-ni that allowed his platoon to retake their defensive position.
From the Wikipedia article “Rodolfo P. Hernández”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Videos
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Further reading
- Medal of Honor Monday: Army Cpl. Rodolfo Hernandezdefense.gov · 2021
