The Medal of Honor
These are the men who have received their nation's highest military decoration...
awarded by the united states government to the brave men who risk their life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States...
Rodolph is one of the 103 living recipients
he was born in April 14, 1931
in Colton California
of Mexican decent...
he joined the united states army in 1948 at the age of 17...
after training he was sent to Germany, where he was stationed until the outbreak of the Korean War.
On August 27, 1950, the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment was reorganized and redesigned as the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. The unit was quickly sent to Korea. The 187th Airborne performed operations into Munsan-ni Valley, and fought bloody battles at Inje and Wonton-ni.
Hernandez was reassigned to Company G of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. His platoon was ordered to defend Hill 420, located near Wonton-ni.
On May 31, 1951, his platoon was attacked by a numerically superior enemy . A close-range firefight broke out when enemy troops went up the hill and caused several casualties on the platoon. Hernandez was hurt during the attack , but he was able to fire upon the rushing enemy troops. After his rifle split , he continued attacking the enemy with his bayonet. His attack enabled his comrades to regroup and take back the Hill.
while attacking the enemy a grenade explosion blew away part of his brain and knocked him unconscious. Hernandez, who had received grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds, appeared dead to the first medic who reached him...
The medic realized, however, that Hernandez was still alive when he saw him move his fingers. Hernandez woke up a month later in a military hospital, unable to move his arms or legs or to talk.
On April 11, 1952, President Harry S. Truman presented Rodolfo P. Hernandez the Medal of Honor in a ceremony held in the white house
After many surgeries and physical therapy over a five year period, Rodolfo P. Hernandez regained limited use of his right arm and learned to write with his left hand.
Rodolfo P. Hernandez is currently married and has three children...
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