MAHANOY CITY — A Mahanoy City veteran of the Vietnam War was posthumously honored on Monday with the presentation of the Purple Heart and seven other medals during a special ceremony held by the local congressman.
U.S. Rep Matt Cartwright, D-17, conducted the ceremony at M&M Redzone in Mahanoy City in order to present the military medals earned by the late Manuel “Manny” Fernandez to his widow, Carol Moucheron Fernandez, Mahanoy City, and his family.
Fernandez served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 in the Army as a specialist. He died at age 67 on March 11, 2014, from cancer attributed to his exposure to the chemical herbicide called Agent Orange.
Before the ceremony, Carol Fernandez spoke of her husband as a kind man who was a great father and very interested in the community. He earned his Purple Heart in combat saving a fellow soldier in February 1968.
“He was a squad leader that day and they were being attacked by the Vietnamese,” she said. “His friend went ahead of him and was shot. My husband went to help him and they shot my husband, who picked up his friend despite being wounded and carried him over his shoulder like you see in the movies. While he was running, a grenade went off and threw both of them.”
Fernandez said it wasn’t an error that her husband did not receive his medals, but because he never sought them.
“He told me that he didn’t feel that he needed them, that he didn’t deserve them, he didn’t want them because he knew what he did over there,” she said. “He was a very humble man. I think, too, that he didn’t want to be reminded what he saw and what he did over there. That’s just the way he was.”
After being discharged in May 1969, Fernandez returned home to Mahanoy City and married Carol one month later. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Pottsville as a mail carrier for 35 years.
“He was a fantastic person,” Carol said. “He was very active with all different organizations.”
He was active with the Mahanoy City Elks Lodge 695, American Legion Post 74, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS and Saint Clair Fish and Game Club, and was a coach of the Mahanoy Area Midget cheerleaders, Mahanoy City Little League coach for the Rotary team, Midget football and the Mahanoy City Elks Teener League.
After Fernandez had passed away, his wife began looking into the awards her husband had earned. Carol completed forms provided by the DAV through Veterans Service Officer Bruce Kosack and she submitted them to the office of state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, of Mahanoy City, who in turn forwarded them to Cartwight’s office.
“Within the month, I got the call (from Cartwright’s office),” Carol said. “I knew he was entitled to some medals, but I didn’t realize how many.”
The call came from Sabrina A. McLaughlin, who is Cartwright’s veterans affairs caseworker.
“She told me that there were 12 in all (including ribbons), and there is a 13th that is pending. She told me that the congressman said he is a true war hero and deserves to have these presented and not sent in the mail. That’s how this came about.”
The medals, mounted in a glass-covered display or shadowbox, are the Purple Heart, Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Double Bronze Star Attachment, the Combat Infantryman Badge, an Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, and a Sharpshooter Badge with Auto Rifle and Machine Gun Bar and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military honor that can be bestowed upon military personnel, its origins going back to the War for Independence and Gen. George Washington. It is awarded to individuals who are wounded or killed in combat in defense of the country as a result of an act by an enemy force in opposition to the United States.
The medals shadowbox, three small cases with the award ribbons and a framed photo of Manuel Fernandez were placed on a table in front of Cartwright as he began the ceremony.
“I talked to Carol on the phone and this is really my favorite job as a congressman. It is so important to do this — to recognize the contributions of those who risked their lives for our liberty and our freedom and our civil rights,” Cartwright said.
Cartwright spoke of Fernandez’s military record in Vietnam and read the awards being presented, explaining the purpose of each one.
In addition to Carol Fernandez, other relatives attending the ceremony were their daughter, Gina Morgan and her husband, Ryan Morgan; granddaughters, Brianna and Madison “Maddie” Marquardt; nephew, Bobby Moucheron, owner of this restaurant, and his wife, Cassie Moucheron; nephew, Thomas Moucheron and his wife, Paula Moucheron; Fernandez’s brother-in-law, Al Moucheron.
Cartwright explained the injuries sustained by Fernandez in Vietnam.
“The act of heroism which led to Mr. Fernandez being wounded in Vietnam and being awarded the Purple Heart medal which I am presenting to him today occurred in combat in 1968,” Cartwight said. “In the chaos and fog of war, Mr. Fernandez saw that one of his service buddies was shot while his squad was under heavy fire. He was selflessly running to his wounded comrade to rescue him when he was also shot in the back of his left shoulder. Mr. Fernandez managed to lift his friend in an attempt to bear him away to safety while still under enemy fire and in spite of being wounded himself. While trying to carry his fellow infantryman he was also hit with a grenade blast which severely damaged his leg. He was evacuated to an Army hospital in Japan so that the serious wounds he suffered could be treated.
Cartwright continued, “Mr. Fernandez’s wounds were so severe, the Army doctors’ initial prognosis was that he would require amputation of both his arm and leg. In fact, the Army even called Mr. Fernandez’s mother to break the news that he was seriously wounded in combat and told her that he had lost an arm and a leg. Fortunately, the Army medical staff was able to save his limbs and his prognosis improved to the point where amputation was not required. However, Mr. Fernandez patiently bore the pain of his wounds for the remaining decades of his life. He carried small shards of shrapnel that were too small to remove inside his body throughout his life, and he also suffered from illnesses including lung cancer, which were the direct result of his combat service and exposure to Agent Orange while he was in Vietnam.”
Cartwright presented the shadowbox to Carol Fernandez and said, “By order of the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense, I am pleased to present to you the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Sharpshooter Badge with Auto Rifle & Machine Gun Bar.”
Fernandez listened to the congressman and could be seen holding back her tears, and then accepted the medals with a smile, followed by tears.
“On behalf of a grateful nation,” Cartwright said in handing her the medals, which was followed by applause from everyone.
Cartwright asked if anyone wanted to say a few words. Several family members spoke, including Gina Morgan, who was tearful as she came over to stand next to her mother.
“First of all, thank you to everybody for coming,” Morgan said. “It means so much to us. We’re so proud of him. He was always my hero and now everyone can see what a true hero he really was. Thank you so much.”