PFC. Fernando Luis Garcia

Fernando Luis Garcia was born on October 14, 1929 in Utuado, Puerto Rico. He was Private First Class, in the U.S. Marine Corps, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, stationed in Korea on September 5th, 1952.

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, in action against enemy aggressor forces, Garcia was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

During the defense of a combat outpost more than one mile forward of the main line of resistance in Korea on September 5th, 1952 during a savage night attack by a fanatical enemy force employing grenades, mortars, and artillery, Pfc. Garcia, although suffering painful wounds, moved through the intense hail 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

General Characteristics:

Awarded: August 25, 1966
Keel laid: June 30, 1972
Launched: March 24, 1973
Commissioned: July 27, 1974
Decommissioned: December 16, 1991
Builder: Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, La.
Propulsion system: 2 - 1200 psi boilers; 1 geared turbine,
I shaft; 35,000 shaft horsepower
Length: 438 feet (133.5 meters)
Beam: 47 feet (14.4 meters)
Draft: 25 feet (7.6 meters)
Displacement: approx. 4,200 tons full load
Speed: 27 knots
Armament: one Mk-16 missile launcher for ASROC and
Harpoon missiles, one Mk-42 5-incW54 caliber gun,
Mk-46 torpedoes from single tube launchers, one 20mm
Phalanx Clws
Aircraft: one SH-2F (LAMPS 1) helicopter
Crew: 18 officers, 267 enlisted