Medal of Honor: Fernando Luis Garcia, Korean War, September 5, 1952

The Selfless Sacrifice of PFC Fernando Luis Garcia

Korean War – September 5, 1952

In the dark, shell-torn hills of Korea, when the night burned with enemy mortars and the air filled with the whistle of grenades, one young Marine from Puerto Rico made a choice that would echo forever. PFC Fernando Luis Garcia, already wounded, was faced with a split-second decision. A grenade landed close—too close to a fellow Marine. Garcia did not hesitate. With a moment’s clarity and courage beyond measure, he threw his own body over the deadly weapon, absorbing the blast and saving the life of another. His sacrifice was complete, but his story lives on as a testament to the highest ideals of duty, honor, and love for his brothers in arms.

Name: Fernando Luis Garcia
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.)
Date of Action: September 5, 1952
Location: Korea
Born: October 14, 1929 – Utuado, Puerto Rico
Entered Service At: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Summary of Action

The outpost stood far beyond the safety of the main line of resistance—over a mile forward into contested ground. It was here that Garcia’s unit came under savage night assault by a determined enemy, whose waves of troops were supported by mortars, artillery, and relentless grenade attacks.

Though painfully wounded in the initial clash, Garcia refused to withdraw. Instead, he fought his way through the deadly storm of fire to retrieve hand grenades for his fellow Marines. It was then that fate delivered its final test. A hostile grenade landed dangerously close, threatening both Garcia and another Marine beside him.

With no time to think of himself, Garcia made the ultimate decision. He threw his body onto the grenade, taking the full force of the explosion. In an instant, his life was gone—but the life of his comrade was spared.

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 1 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.