Eurípides Rubio
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| Euripides Rubio | |
|---|---|
| March 1, 1939 – November 8, 1966 (aged 28) | |
  Capt. Euripides Rubio Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Place of death | Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | H&H Co., 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Captain Euripides Rubio (March 1, 1938 – November 8, 1966), born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, was a United States Army captain who was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor — the Medal of Honor for actions on 8 November 1966 during the Vietnam War. Rubio was a member of the United States Army, H&H Co., 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, RVN.
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[edit] Action in Vietnam
On November 8, 1966 at Tay Ninh Province in the Republic of Vietnam, Captain Rubio's company came under attack from the North Vietnamese Army; leaving the safety of his post, Rubio received two serious wounds as he braved the intense enemy fire to distribute ammunition, re-establish 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 U.S. 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, 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.
Captain 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.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Rubio, Infantry, was serving as communications officer, 1st Battalion, when a numerically superior enemy force launched a massive attack against the battalion defense position. Intense enemy machinegun fire raked the area while mortar rounds and rifle grenades exploded within the perimeter. Leaving the relative safety of his post, Capt. Rubio received 2 serious wounds as he braved the withering fire to go to the area of most intense action where he distributed ammunition, re-established positions and rendered aid to the wounded. Disregarding the painful wounds, he unhesitatingly assumed command when a rifle company commander was medically evacuated. Capt. Rubio was wounded a third time as he selflessly exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire to move among his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort. While aiding the evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a smoke grenade which was intended to mark the Viet Cong position for air strikes had fallen dangerously close to the friendly lines. Capt. Rubio ran to reposition the grenade but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire. Despite his several wounds, Capt. Rubio scooped up the grenade, ran through the deadly hail of fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position and hurled the already smoking grenade into the midst of the enemy before he fell for the final time. Using the 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 battle, and his extraordinary leadership and valor were a magnificent inspiration to his men. His remarkable bravery and selfless concern for his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on Capt. Rubio and the U.S. Army.[1]
[edit] In memory
The U.S. Army named a military installation "Captain Euripedes Rubio" in Puerto Nuevo, a sector of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Euripides Rubio's 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. The name Euripides Rubio is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 12E, Row 044.[2]
[edit] Military decorations awarded
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star
Badges:
[edit] See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients: Vietnam War
- Puerto Rican recipients of the Medal of Honor
- List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
- List of notable Puerto Ricans, Military
[edit] Notes
- ^ Medal of Honor citation Medal of Honor citation
- ^ Euripides Rubio, CPT, Army. The Virtual Wall. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
[edit] External links
- Euripides Rubio. mishalov.com. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
- Euripides Rubio. Medal of Honor Recipients, Americans of Hispanic Heritage. Hispanic America U.S.A. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
- Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
- Virtual Wall
