Reinaldo Rodríguez

Reinaldo Rodríguez
Born	January 04,1949 Guánica, Puerto Rico
Died	January 16, 1971 Long Khanh Province, Vietnam
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1970-1971
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	25th Infantry Division, 27th Infantry Regiment, Company C, 1st Battalion, 2d Brigade,
Battles/wars	Vietnam War †
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Purple Heart

Private First Class Reinaldo Rodríguez born on January 4, 1949 in Guanica, Puerto Rico belonged to Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in the U.S. Army. PFC Reinaldo Figueroa was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Vietnam War

Private First Class Rodriguez provided cover fire for his comrades maintaining suppressive fire upon the adversary until he was wounded a third time. Although evacuated immediately to the rear medical facilities, PFC Rodriguez succumbed to his wounds.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

REINALDO RODRIGUEZ

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Reinaldo Rein Rodriguez, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Rodriguez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 January 1971 while serving as a member of a reconnaissance platoon during operations in Long Khanh Province. As Private Rodriguez's platoon was reconnoitering the area, they encountered a well-entrenched hostile force firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Observing that an allied machine gunner was wounded and unable to defend his position, the private crawled forward to the gunner's location and began placing devastating volleys of bullets upon the hostile force. When an enemy sniper began concentrating accurate fire upon the allied defenses, Private Rodriguez exposed himself to the foe and silenced the belligerent with a well-aimed burst from his M-16 rifle. While he was in this open position, the private was wounded in the flurry of bullets. With enemy rounds striking all around him, Private Rodriguez disregarded his own pain as he felled another sniper. His platoon was running perilously low on ammunition and began to withdraw to a re-supply point. Voluntarily, the private remained at the rear to provide cover fire for his comrades. Suddenly, an enemy rocket-propelled grenade impacted just meters from him, inflicting additional wounds. Despite his weakened condition, Private Rodriguez continued to maintain suppressive fire upon the adversary until he was wounded a third time. Although evacuated immediately to the rear medical facilities, Private Rodriguez succumbed to his wounds in the early morning hours of 16 January. Private First Class Rodriguez's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 920 (March 16, 1971) Home Town: Guanica, Puerto Rico^[1]

Military decorations

Among Reinaldo Rodríguez awards and decorations are the following:

1	Combat Infantryman Badge
2	Distinguished Service Cross			Purple Heart
3	National Defense Service Medal		Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze star		Vietnam Campaign Medal

See also

• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Rican military personnel
• Puerto Rican recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross

References