National Assessment Group honors NM war hero

  • Published
  • By Deborah Fox
  • Valencia County News-Bulletin
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Kirtland Air Force Base held a rededication ceremony Oct. 6 for Los Lunas Vietnam War hero U.S. Army Spc. Daniel D. Fernandez. 

The ceremony was held at the base at Fernandez Hall, a building named in 1984 for the Los Lunas native.

The rededication of Fernandez Hall was the centerpiece for the 20th anniversary celebration of the National Assessment Group, a group that tests technology for the Defense Department. It is housed in Fernandez Hall.

A memorial wall built in Fernandez’s honor was also unveiled in front of the building.

“I want to say a special thank you and welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fernandez and their family members for being here today,” said Maj. Gen. John P. Horner, director of special programs and the Defense Department Special Access Program Central Office. “It adds special meaning for this ceremony and for connecting us to their brother and hero Spc. Daniel D. Fernandez.”

Horner said Fernandez grew up just south of Albuquerque in Los Lunas on 4 acres, where the family farmed, raised rabbits and chickens, and had an orchard.

“It is said that Daniel loved riding horses and one of his favorite jobs was breaking wild horses for his neighbors and anyone else who asked,” Horner said. “He was known for his commitment to his hometown, friends, his country and his Catholic faith.”

Fernandez died in the line of duty Feb. 18, 1966, when he and three other men of C “Charlie” Company were rescuing a wounded troop. An enemy soldier launched a rifle grenade that landed in their midst, but in a split-second decision, Fernandez threw himself on top of the explosive, sacrificing his own life to protect the lives of his fellow soldiers.

“The memorial wall is our attempt to honor, in a more significant way, Daniel Fernandez,” said Paul S. Greenhouse, the director of the National Assessment Group. “We’re trying to show Daniel Fernandez is not just a memorial wall out there — Daniel Fernandez is a person. He’s a person that lived here in New Mexico; he’s a person with a family; he’s a person that had a personality and did wonderful things in his life. We’re trying to portray that for everybody.”

A portrait of Daniel Fernandez, painted in full uniform with all the medals bestowed, was unveiled by a soldier who saluted the fallen hero.

“I think this portrait has been probably the most moving of any of the events,” said younger brother Peter Fernandez.

There have been several celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Fernandez’s Medal of Honor and each has been different, his brother said.

“The one in May and the (5th Infantry Regiment reunion) that came to Albuquerque — it was very enjoyable to meet with them and talk to them,” Fernandez said. “A lot of it becomes pretty emotional, but I think this portrait is probably the icing on the cake.”

“I think this is an absolutely beautiful day, beautiful people that wanted to continue with keeping the legacy of Daniel Fernandez alive — people that honor and understand what all our veterans do,” said sister-in-law Priscilla “Lollie” Fernandez. “It’s just beautiful — the effort that they put into putting this together. I’m so pleased, so blessed.”

One attendee who grew up in Los Lunas and attended Daniel Fernandez Intermediate School is stationed at KAFB and works within Fernandez Hall.

Master Sgt. Tiffany Makris said she feels a special connection to the war hero.

“When I got assigned here two years ago and I walked past (Fernandez Hall) — I feel like this name follows me because I was deployed to Iraq and my living quarters was named Daniel Fernandez,” Makris said. 

She said they had several Alaskan tents to sleep in while in Iraq, each named after a Medal of Honor recipient. Makris was told that she was assigned to the Daniel Fernandez tent.

“What we’re trying to do here is step our game up, so to speak, and do a better job of representing his history but also personalizing it for the members of this organization,” Greenhouse said. “I think this is an extension of what they’re trying to do in Los Lunas — they’re saying, ‘We’re proud of our native son. We want other people to know about him. We want other people to understand what a great community we have that produces people like Daniel Fernandez and has families like the Fernandez family.’”