18 February

SP/4 DANIEL FERNANDEZ
C Co. 1st Bn, 5th Inf (Mech) 25th ID
Cu Chi, Hau Nghia Province, RVN
18 February 1966

When SP/4 Fernandez’s patrol was ambushed by a Viet Cong rifle company, one of the Americans was wounded and unable to make it to cover. SP/4 Fernandez, one of his NCOs and 2 other volunteers fought their way back through heavy enemy resistance to reach the fallen American.

The NCO was hit in the leg, and knee by machine-gun fire, making it impossible for him to walk and combat ineffective. SP/4 Fernandez immediately took over command, rallied the left flank of his patrol into a counter-attack then assisted in the recovery of the wounded sergeant.

As Fernandez was administering medical aid to his Sergeant, a sudden increase in the accuracy and intensity of enemy fire forced the group to take cover. In the chaos, a Viet Cong grenade landed in the middle of the group.

Realizing there was no time for the wounded sergeant or the other men to protect themselves from the grenade blast, SP/4 Fernandez leaped over the wounded man throwing himself on the grenade as it exploded.  SP/4 Fernandez’s selfless act of courage saved he lives of his 4 comrades at the sacrifice of his own.

No Greater Love…