Name: Daniel Fernandez
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized), 25th Infantry Division
Place: Cu Chi, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Born: 30 June 1944, Albuquerque, New Mexico
G.O. No.: 21, 26 April 1967
Summary of Action
On 18 February 1966, a patrol from Company C was ambushed by a Viet Cong rifle company and driven back under intense automatic-weapons fire. During the violent engagement, an American soldier was left wounded and exposed in front of the enemy positions.
Without hesitation, Sp4c. Daniel Fernandez, accompanied by a sergeant and two other volunteers, fought their way through devastating enemy fire and exploding grenades to reach the fallen soldier. Upon reaching him, the sergeant was struck in the knee by machine-gun fire and immobilized.
Sp4c. Fernandez immediately took charge. He rallied the left flank of the patrol and began assisting in the recovery of the wounded sergeant while first aid was administered. Enemy fire intensified, forcing the small rescue group to take cover.
In that moment, an enemy grenade landed directly in their midst. Some of the men never saw it.
Recognizing instantly that there was no time for the wounded sergeant or the others to protect themselves, Sp4c. Fernandez vaulted over his fallen comrade and threw himself upon the grenade. The explosion followed immediately.
His selfless act saved the lives of four fellow soldiers at the cost of his own.
Medal of Honor Citation
FERNANDEZ, DANIEL
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized), 25th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Cu Chi, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 February 1966.
Entered service at: Albuquerque, N. Mex.
Born: 30 June 1944, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
G.O. No.: 21, 26 April 1967.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fernandez demonstrated indomitable courage when the patrol was ambushed by a Viet Cong rifle company and driven back by the intense enemy automatic weapons fire before it could evacuate an American soldier who had been wounded in the Viet Cong attack. Sp4c. Fernandez, a sergeant and 2 other volunteers immediately fought their way through devastating fire and exploding grenades to reach the fallen soldier. Upon reaching their fallen comrade the sergeant was struck in the knee by machine gun fire and immobilized. Sp4c. Fernandez took charge, rallied the left flank of his patrol and began to assist in the recovery of the wounded sergeant. While first aid was being administered to the wounded man, a sudden increase in the accuracy and intensity of enemy fire forced the volunteer group to take cover. As they did, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the group, although some men did not see it. Realizing there was no time for the wounded sergeant or the other men to protect themselves from the grenade blast, Sp4c. Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and threw himself on the grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of his 4 comrades at the sacrifice of his life. Sp4c. Fernandez’ profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Name: Daniel Fernandez
