Medal of Honor: Rodolfo P. Hernandez - Korean War - May 31, 1951
On a battered Korean hilltop, American paratroopers faced a massive enemy assault. When his rifle failed and his comrades fell back, one corporal charged alone with only a bayonet.
June 2, 2026
Name: Rodolfo P. Hernandez
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Korean War
Unit: Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team
Date of Action: May 31, 1951
Location: Near Wontong-ni, Korea
Summary of Action
On 31 May 1951, Corporal Rodolfo P. Hernandez displayed extraordinary heroism while defending Hill 420 near Wontong-ni, Korea.
Hernandez’s platoon occupied defensive positions when it came under attack by a numerically superior enemy force supported by heavy artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire.
The relentless bombardment inflicted numerous casualties and threatened to overwhelm the American position.
As enemy troops closed in, Hernandez fought fiercely, delivering accurate rifle fire into the advancing ranks despite the increasingly desperate situation.
During a violent exchange of grenades, he was wounded but refused to leave his position.
With ammunition running dangerously low and casualties mounting, many of his comrades were forced to withdraw.
Hernandez remained.
Continuing to engage the enemy, he inflicted heavy losses on the attackers until a ruptured cartridge rendered his rifle useless.
Rather than retreat, he immediately rose from his position and launched a one-man charge directly into the enemy force.
Armed only with his rifle and bayonet, Hernandez fearlessly attacked the advancing soldiers at close quarters.
In the brutal hand-to-hand fighting that followed, he personally killed six enemy soldiers.
Although suffering multiple grenade, bullet, and bayonet wounds, he continued fighting until he finally collapsed unconscious.
His extraordinary assault stunned the attacking force and temporarily halted the enemy advance.
The pause created by his sacrifice allowed American troops to regroup, counterattack, and retake the lost ground.
Corporal Hernandez’s indomitable fighting spirit, unwavering courage, and devotion to duty reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
HERNANDEZ, RODOLFO P.
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.
