Career
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. REINALDO RODRIGUEZ Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Reinaldo Rein Rodriguez, Private First Class, United States. 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.
As Private Rodriguez"s platoon was reconnoitering the area, they encountered a well-entrenched hostile force firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.
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 cr upon himself, his unit, and the United States Headquarters United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders Number.
920 (March 16, 1971) Home Town: Guanica, Puerto Rico.