Rodolfo P . Hernandez Rodolfo Perez " Rudy " Hernandez ( born April 14 , 1931 ) is a former United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor — America ' s highest military decoration — for his actions in the Korean War . Despite his wounds , Hernandez ' s actions during an enemy counterattack near Wonton - ni allowed his platoon to retake their defensive position . Biography . Early years . Hernandez , a Mexican - American , is one of eight children born to a farmworker . At a young age his family moved from Colton where Hernandez was born , to Fowler , California , where he received his primary education . In 1948 , when he was 17 years old , he joined the United States Army with his parents ' consent . After completing his basic training , Hernandez volunteered for paratroop er school . Upon the completion of his paratrooper training he was sent to Germany , where he was stationed until the outbreak of the Korean War . Korean War . On August 27 , 1950 , the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment was reorganized and redesignated 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 2nd Battalion , 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team . His platoon was ordered to defend Hill 420 , located near Wonton - ni . On May 31 , 1951 , his platoon was the object of a numerically superior enemy counterattack . A close - quarters firefight broke out when enemy troops surged up the hill and inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon . Hernandez was wounded during the attack , but was able to fire upon the rushing enemy troops . After his rifle ruptured , he continued attacking the enemy with his bayonet . His attack enabled his comrades to regroup and take back the hill . A grenade explosion that blew away part of his brain knocked him unconscious . Hernandez , who had received grenade , bayonet , and bullet wounds , appeared dead to the first medic who reached him , Keith Oates . Oates 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 12 , 1952 , President Harry S . Truman bestowed upon Hernandez the Medal of Honor in a ceremony held in the White House Rose Garden . After many surgeries and physical therapy over a five - year period , Hernandez regained limited use of his right arm and learned to write with his left hand . Later life . Hernandez is now married and has three children . He retired from a job at the Veterans Administration and currently lives in Fayetteville , North Carolina . The Carteret County Veterans Council named Hernandez one of two grand marshals of its November 11 , 2006 , annual Veterans Day Parade held in downtown Morehead City . On November 10 , 2007 , he was again co - grand marshal of the Morehead City Veterans Day Parade . During the event , he was reunited with his rescuer " from a long and far away battlefield , " the former Korean War Army medic and current Morehead City resident , Keith Oates . Medal of Honor citation . Rodolfo P . Hernandez Rank and organization : Corporal , U . S . Army , Company G , 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team Place and date : Near Wontong - ni , Korea , May 31 , 1951 Entered service at : Fowler , California Born : April 14 , 1931 , Colton , California G . O . No . : 40 , April 12 , 1952 Cpl . Hernandez , a member of Company G , distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy . His platoon , in defensive positions on Hill 420 , came under ruthless attack by a numerically superior and fanatical hostile force , accompanied by heavy artillery , mortar , and machinegun fire which inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon . His comrades were forced to withdraw due to lack of ammunition but Cpl . Hernandez , although wounded in an exchange of grenades , continued to deliver deadly fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants until a ruptured cartridge rendered his rifle inoperative . Immediately leaving his position , Cpl . Hernandez rushed the enemy armed only with rifle and bayonet . Fearlessly engaging the foe , he killed 6 of the enemy before falling unconscious from grenade , bayonet , and bullet wounds but his heroic action momentarily halted the enemy advance and enabled his unit to counterattack and retake the lost ground . The indomitable fighting spirit , outstanding courage , and tenacious devotion to duty clearly demonstrated by Cpl . Hernandez reflect the highest credit upon himself , the infantry , and the U . S . Army . Awards and recognitions . Among Hernandez ' s decorations are the following : Foreign unit decorations Portrayals . Christopher Alexander McCowan in " A Man Comes To Fowler " by the Cornerstone Theater Company . Play took place in Fowler , California August 11 , 2011 to August 13 , 2011