On this day in 1966, just 43 days into his tour of duty, a patrol he was on was ambushed by the Viet Cong. When he and four others returned to the ambush site to rescue a wounded comrade, Fernandez was quickly presented with saving himself, or saving the lives of his fellow warriors. He chose the latter, and his courageous self-sacrifice was recognized with our Nation's highest honor.
From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (A-L):
* 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. c.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.
Daniel D. Fernandez, age 21 at his death, rests in peace in Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM. His name is inscribed on Panel 05E, Line 46 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.
The 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry serves today with the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright, AK - their home when they're not in the field defending us all.
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