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| Garcia Fernando Luis Garcia was born 14 October 1929 at Utuado, P.R., and was inducted into the Marine Corps 19 September 1951. A member of the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, Private Garcia served valiantly in Korea particularly on 5 September 1952 when he threw himself on an enemy grenade to save the life of a comrade. Private Garcia was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism' the first native Puerto Rican to be so honored. (DE-1014: dp. 2, 624 (lt.); 1. 514'; b. 45'; dr. 25', s; 27 k. cpl. 239; a. 25", 4 tt., 1 ASROC; cl. Garcia) Garcia (DE-1040) one of a new and powerful class of escort vessels, was launched 31 October 1963, by Bethlehem Steel Co., San Francisco, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. Daisy Garcia de Alvarez, sister; and commissioned 21 December 1964, Comdr. Donald A. Smith in command. After trials and training off the Pacific Coast, the new destroyer escort departed San Diego 22 March 1965; transited the Panama Canal; and arrived her homeport Newport, R.I., 7 April. Following ship qualification tests she sailed for the Carilhean 7 May for shakedown. She returned Newport l6 July. For the remainder of 1965 and through 1966, Garcia operated out of Newport perfecting her ASW and sonar techniques. |
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