| |
| |
Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Sgt. Joseph C. Rodriguez, US Army
When Joseph C. Rodriguez received his orders to report for induction into the United States Army from the draft board in his hometown of San Bernardino California, little did he realize that before another year passed by, he would win the nation's highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Private Joseph Rodriguez was sworn into the Army in October, 1950. He was sent to Camp Carson, Colorado, to take his basic training. At Camp Carson, he was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion of the 196th Regimental Combat Team. In February, 1951, after completion of basic training, he volunteered for duty in Korea. He was sent overseas and was assigned to Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division.
On 21 May 1951, Company F was assigned the mission of occupying some high ground near the Korean village of Munye-ri. The high ground was firmly entrenched with Reds, who were unwilling to give up the ground. Three times Company F attacked the ridge and three times they were thrown back by the Reds. In the next few moments, Private First Class Joseph C. Rodriguez waged a one-man war in what the Army said "was an incredible display of valor."
CITATION:
Joseph C. Rodriguez
U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph C. Rodriguez distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations on May 21, 1951. Sgt. Rodriguez, then a 22-year-old assistant squad leader of the 2d Platoon, was participating in an attack against a fanatical hostile force occupying well-fortified positions on rugged commanding terrain near Munye-ri, Korea. His squad's advance was halted within approximately 60 yards by a withering barrage of automatic weapons and small-arms fire from five emplacements directly to the front and right and left flanks, together with grenades that the enemy rolled down the hill toward the advancing troops. Fully aware of the odds against him, Sgt. Rodriguez leaped to his feet, dashed 60 yards up the fire-swept slope, and, after lobbing grenades into the first foxhole with deadly accuracy, ran around the left flank, silenced an automatic weapon two grenades and continued his whirlwind assault to the top of the peak, wiping out two more foxholes. Then, reaching the right flank, he tossed grenades into the remaining emplacement, destroying the gun and annihilating its crew. Sgt. Rodriguez' intrepid actions exacted a toll of 15 enemy dead and, as a result of his incredible display of valor, the defense of the opposition was broken, the enemy routed, and the strategic strongpoint secured. His unflinching courage under fire and inspirational devotion to duty reflect highest credit on himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.
The Korean War
1950-1953
|
|
|
|
|
Articles & Briefings
