Fernando Luis García (October 14, 1929 – September 5, 1952) was a United States Marine Corps private first class who was killed in action during the Korean War and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty on September 5, 1952, during the Battle of Bunker Hill (1952). He was the first of nine Puerto Rican servicemen to be awarded the Medal of Honor and is the only Puerto Rican Marine to be awarded the medal.
García (birth name: Fernando Luis García Ledesma[note 1]) was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. He moved to San Juan where he was hired by the Texas Company as a file clerk.[1]
On September 19, 1951, García joined the United States Marines Corps and received his recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After he graduated from "boot camp", he was promoted to private first class in December[2] and was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for more training before being sent to Korea in March 1952.
García was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On the night of his death, he and his company were posted about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the enemy lines at "Outpost Bruce" in the Bunker Hill area.[3] Chinese soldiers were attacking with artillery, mortars, and grenades. García was wounded and getting hand grenades from his acting platoon sergeant when an enemy grenade landed near them.[4] García covered the grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to save the life of his fellow Marine who was wounded by the blast. García died instantly. For this heroic action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.[2]
On October 25, 1953, García's parents were presented his Medal of Honor at a ceremony held in the Utuado City Hall.
The President of the United States in the name of U.S. Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FERNANDO L. GARCIA UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
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, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on September 5, 1952. While participating in the defense of a combat outpost located more than one mile forward of the main line of resistance during a savage night attack by a fanatical enemy force employing grenades, mortars and artillery, Private First Class Garcia, although suffering painful wounds, moved through the intense hall of hostile fire to a supply point to secure more hand grenades. 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 United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
On February 5, 1959, the United States Marines Corps named a military camp in Vieques, Puerto Rico, "Camp García" in his honor.[7]
The United States Navy named the García class of ships in his honor, with the lead ship in the class (USS Garcia) bearing his name, as well.[8]
His name is inscribed in "El Monumento de la Recordación" (Monument of Remembrance), dedicated to Puerto Rico's fallen soldiers and situated in front of the Capitol Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
His name is also inscribed in the "Wall of the Missing" located in the National Memorial of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, which honors the Medal of Honor recipients whose bodies have never been recovered.[9]
A monument commemorating his actions stands in his hometown of Utuado, Puerto Rico.
On November 11, 2008, the Government of Puerto Rico unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda the oil portrait of PFC Fernando Luis García.[10]
The American Legion Post 42 in Utuado, Puerto Rico was named American Legion Auxiliary, 42 Pfc Fernando Luis Garcia[11] and a low income housing project, the Caserío Fernando Luis García in Utuado, is also named after García.[12]
In 2017 Fernando Luis Garcia was posthumously inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.[13]
^"Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor: Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own"; by Greg Boudonck (Author); ASIN: B00J12MXUS