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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients HERNANDEZ, RODOLFO P. Rank and organization: Corporal,
U.S. Army, Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team.
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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients HERNANDEZ, RODOLFO P. Rank and organization: Corporal,
U.S. Army, Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team.
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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 clearly demonstrated by Cpl. Hernandez
reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.