Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fifth Class

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 21, 1962

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 17 (April 12, 1963)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Specialist Fifth Class Porfirio Hernandez (ASN: RA-18393117), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 24th Aviation Company, 24th Infantry Division, at Augsburg Army Airfield, Augsburg, Germany on 21 May 1962. Specialist Hernandez was on duty in the 24th Aviation Company hangar, when a helicopter flown by a pilot of the Company, crashed, capsized, and within seconds began to burn. He immediately rushed to the scene of the accident to aid the trapped aviator. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he assisted in removing the trapped pilot from the burning cockpit and placing him a safe distance away from the hazardous wreckage just prior to the exploding of the aircraft gas tanks. Specialist Hernandez’s prompt and heroic action in this emergency is in the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.