Euripides Rubio
From Free net encyclopedia
Marine 69-71 (Talk | contribs)
Oops! My mistake, I don't how the heck I reverted this, sorry
Next diff →
Current revision
Capt. Euripides Rubio (March 1, 1938 – November 8, 1966) born in Ponce, Puerto Rico - soldier.
Rubio was a member of the U.S. Army, H&H Co., 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division,RVN.
| ||||||||||||||
On November 8, 1966 at Tay Ninh Province, in the Republic of Vietnam Capt. Rubio's company came under attack from the North Vietnamese Army; leaving the safety of his post, Capt. Rubio received two serious wounds as he braved the intense enemy fire to distribute ammunition, reestablish positions and render aid to the wounded.
Despite his pain he assumed command when a rifle company commander was medically evacuated. He was then wounded a third time as he tried to move amongst his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort.
While aiding the evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a US smoke grenade, which was intended to mark the Viet Cong's position for an air strike, had fallen dangerously close to friendly lines - he ran to move the grenade but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire. Despite his wounds, Capt. Rubio managed to collect the grenade and run through enemy fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position and throw the by then already smoking grenade into the enemy before he fell for the final time.
Using the now repositioned grenade as a marker, friendly air strikes were directed to destroy the hostile positions.
Capt. Rubio's singularly heroic act turned the tide of the battle, and for his extaordinary leadership and valor, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His remains were buried in Puerto Rico National Cemetery in the city of Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The U.S. Army named a military installation "Capt. Euripedes Rubio" in Puerto Nuevo, a sector of San Juan, Puerto Rico and his name is inscribed in "El Monumento de la Recordacion" (Monument of Remembrance), dedicated to Puerto Rico's fallen soldiers and situated in front of the Capitol Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans - Military