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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Candelario Garcia.
Congressional Medal of Honor
Episode 2864 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Army SGT Candelario Garcia, Jr. and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. Information featured in this episode comes from a story that appeared on Wikipedia.
Army Sergeant Candelario “Candy” Garcia was a quiet, humble man, but his bravery during the Vietnam War spoke volumes. Born in Corsicana, Texas, in 1944, he was raised in a large family of migrant farm workers. His strong work ethic and sense of duty led him to enlist in the Army during the height of the Vietnam War.
On December 8, 1968, during Operation Toan Thang II, Sgt. Garcia’s unit came under heavy fire near Lai Khe. Despite the intense enemy fire, Garcia took immediate action. Spotting two machine-gun bunkers that were pinning his platoon down, he fearlessly charged forward. Using hand grenades, he destroyed the first bunker, killing the enemy inside. Undeterred by the danger, he moved toward the second bunker, eliminating it with accurate rifle fire. His bravery didn’t stop there. Seeing that his comrades were still exposed to enemy fire, he crawled across open ground, providing cover for wounded soldiers and moving them to safety.
Garcia’s actions saved many lives that day, but for years, his heroism went unrecognized. It wasn’t until 2014 that he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, nearly 46 years after his extraordinary courage in Vietnam. Sergeant Garcia’s legacy is a reminder of the quiet heroism that defines the character of so many soldiers—selfless, courageous, and committed to their comrades. His story is now etched into the history of American valor, a tribute to his unwavering spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.
Listen to Episode 2864 and discover more about Army SGT Candelario Garcia and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.
