Rodolfo "Rudy" Pérez Hernández (April 14, 1931 – December 21, 2013) was a United States Army soldier who received theMedal of Honor — America's highest military decoration — for his actions on May 31, 1951, during theUN May–June 1951 counteroffensive in theKorean War. Despite his severe wounds, Hernández took actions during an enemy counterattack near Wonton-ni that allowed his platoon to retake their defensive position.
Hernández, was an American ofMexican descent. He was one of eight children born to a farmworker inColton. At a young age his family moved toFowler, California, where he received his primary education. In 1948, when he was 17 years old, he joined theUnited States Army with his parents' consent.
After completing his basic training, Hernández volunteered forparatrooper school. Upon the completion of his paratrooper training he was sent toGermany, where he was stationed until the outbreak of theKorean War.[1]
On August 27, 1950, the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. The unit was quickly sent to Korea. The 187th Airborne performed operations intoMunsan-ni Valley, and fought bloody battles atInje andWonton-ni.
Hernández was reassigned to Company G of the 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. His platoon was ordered to defend Hill 420, located near Wonton-ni. On May 31, 1951, his platoon was the object of a numerically superior enemy counterattack. A close-quarters firefight broke out when enemy troops surged up the hill and inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon. Hernandez was wounded during the attack, but was able to fire upon the rushing enemy troops. After a cartridge in hisrifle ruptured, he continued attacking the enemy with hisbayonet. His attack enabled his comrades to regroup and take back the hill.
Agrenade explosion that blew away part of his brain knocked him unconscious. Hernández, who had received grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds, appeared dead to the first medic who reached him, Keith Oates.[2] Oates realized, however, that Hernandez was still alive when he saw him move his fingers. Hernandez woke up a month later in a military hospital, unable to move his arms or legs or to talk.
After many surgeries and physical therapy over a five-year period, Hernández regained limited use of his right arm and learned to write with his left hand.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team
Place and date: Near Wontong-ni, Korea, May 31, 1951
Entered service at: Fowler, California
Born: April 14, 1931, Colton, California
G.O. No.: 40, April 12, 1952
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.[3]
Hernández married and had three children. He retired from a job at theVeterans Administration and lived inFayetteville, North Carolina. The Carteret County Veterans Council named Hernandez one of two grand marshals of its November 11, 2006, annualVeterans Day Parade held in downtownMorehead City.[4] On November 10, 2007, he was again co-grand marshal of the Morehead City Veterans Day Parade. During the event, he was reunited with his rescuer "from a long and far away battlefield," the former Korean War Army medic and current Morehead City resident, Keith Oates.[5]
Hernández was also the Grand Marshal of the 2012 North Carolina Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony held each Memorial Day in Thomasville, North Carolina, and attended as an honored guest in 2013.
Hernández died atWomack Army Medical Center in Fayetteville on December 21, 2013. He had been battling "cancer and several other ailments" in the last month of his life.[6]
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Army Center of Military History.
