Fernando Luis Garcia

Private First Class Fernando Luis Garcia

 

Organization: U.S. Marine Corps, Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.)

Place and date: Korea, 5 September 1952

Entered service at: San Juan, PR

Place of Birth: Utuado, PR

Private First Class Garcia's War Department Citation reads as follows:

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 handgrenades.

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.

Information on Private First Class Garcia and text of citation were obtained from official records made available by the United States Department of Defense.