Korean War Medal of Honor recipient laid to rest
Retired Cpl. Rodolfo (Rudy) Hernandez, who earned the Medal of Honor for single-handedly stopping the advance of enemy troops during the Korean War was laid to rest Monday.
Posted — UpdatedRetired Cpl. Rodolfo (Rudy) Hernandez died Dec. 21 after a battle with cancer and other illnesses.
Family members, friends and admirers gathered at Covenant Love Church in Fayetteville to salute the 82-year-old veteran for his bravery and faith.
At age 20, Hernandez killed six North Korean fighters with a bayonet during a battle on May 31, 1951, and was initially thought to be dead after being found lying among the bodies of the soldiers he killed.
Hernandez couldn't talk for months following his injuries and had to learn to walk again. Part of his body remained paralyzed.
Fort Bragg commander Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson said Monday that Hernandez was an inspiration to all.
"Regardless of our relatively trivial daily lives, Rudy's indomitable spirit is an example, not only for our wounded warriors, but for all Americans," Anderson said.
Hernandez was buried with full military honors at the Sandhills Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake.
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