Garcia, a Puerto Rican, enlisted in San Juan. He participated in the Korean War.
Garcia was a Private First Class of the Marines, in Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, of the 1st Marine division. On the night of his death, he was posted about one mile from the enemy lines. The Korean enemies were attacking with grenades, bombs and other types of artillery. Garcia was critically wounded, but he led his team to a supply point to get hand-grenades.
An enemy grenade landed nearby, and Garcia jumped over it, sacrificing himself to save the lifes of his fellow Marines. Garcia died instantly. He was the first Puerto Rican given the medal of honor.