William M. Hernandez
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

On 20 August 1944, Lieutenant Colonel William M. Hernandez was serving as Commanding Officer of the 628th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 5th Armored Division, Third U.S. Army.

On that day, LTC Hernandez's unit was in action against German forces near St. Vincent de Bois, France, during Operation Overlord. As his Battalion assisted in closing the Falaise Pocket, LTC Hernandez, Commanding Officer of the 628th, personally directed the fire of one of his Tank Destroyers, silencing the German fire and enabling the forward movement of his troops to continue. LTC Hernandez's continuous presence with the forward elements, combined with his exemplary judgment and leadership in the face of intense enemy fire, set an inspiring example for the men of his command. LTC Hernandez was killed in action while observing the indirect fire of his Battalion. LTC Hernandez's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Mexican Service Medal
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) William M. Hernandez (ASN: 0-191305), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 628th Tank Destroyer Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 20 August 1944, near St. Vincent de Bois, France. With utter disregard for his own safety Lieutenant Colonel Hernandez personally directed the fire of one of this Tank Destroyers, silencing the enemy fire and enabling the forward movement of our troops to continue. His continuous presence with the forward elements combined with his exemplary judgment and leadership, maintained in the face of intense enemy fire, during which he was fatally wounded, set an inspiring example of his command, and are worthy of the best traditions of the service.

Burial

Lieutenant Colonel William M. Hernandez is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France, in Plot N, Row 4, Grave 18.

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