b. 01/03/1938 Ponce, Puerto Rico. d. 08/11/1966 Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 08/11/1966 Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam.
Euripides Rubio MOH
Rubio was born in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, in the southern region of Puerto Rico. There, he received his primary and secondary education. Rubio was a member of the Civil Air Patrol’s Ponce High School Cadet Squadron, Chapter 52012/PR012, Puerto Rico Wing, from 1952 to 1956. After high school, Rubio enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico and the program Army ROTC, Rubio joined the Army as a commissioned second lieutenant officer in the Military Police Corps at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
On November 8, 1966, during Operation Attleboro in Tay Ninh Province, South 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 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, Rubio managed to collect the grenade and again run through enemy fire to within 20 m of the enemy position to 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.
Rubio’s singularly heroic act turned the tide of the battle, and for his extraordinary leadership and valor, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor in 1968. The Medal of Honor was presented to his family by the Secretary of the Army, Stanley R. Resor at the Pentagon on July 11, 1968.
MOH 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 machine-gun fire raked the area while mortar rounds and rifle grenades exploded within the perimeter. Leaving the relative safety of his post, Capt. Rubio received two serious wounds as he braved the withering fire to go to the area of most intense action where he distributed ammunition, reestablished 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 reposition 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: PUERTO RICO NATIONAL CEMETERY, BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO.
SECTION HSA-5.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
