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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. |
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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. | |
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Fernandez, Daniel
