Sergeant
First Class Jose Rodela distinguished himself by acts of gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the company
commander, Detachment B-36, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st
Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy in Phuoc Long
Province, Republic of Vietnam on September 1, 1969.
That
afternoon, Sergeant First Class Rodela’s battalion came under an intense
barrage of mortar, rocket and machine gun fire. Ignoring the withering enemy
fire, Sergeant Rodela immediately began placing his men into defensive
positions to prevent the enemy from overrunning the entire battalion.
Repeatedly
exposing himself to enemy fire, Sergeant First Class Rodela moved from position
to position, providing suppressing fire and assisting wounded, and was himself
wounded in the back and head by a B-40 rocket while recovering a wounded
comrade. Alone, Sergeant First Class Rodela assaulted and knocked out the B-40
rocket position before successfully returning to the battalion’s perimeter.
Sergeant
First Class Rodela’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond
the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
MEDALS:
Jose Rodela
received the Medal of Honor, March 18, 2014; Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart
with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with "V" Device, Army
Commendation Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal
with Silver Clasp and one Loop, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service
Medal with one Silver Service Star, Korea Defense Service Medal, Meritorious
Unit Commendation with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge,
Master Parachutist Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, Special
Forces Tab, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60" Device,
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device, Republic of
Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation First Class, Republic of
Vietnam Special Forces Honorary Jump Wings, Columbian Army Parachutist Badge.
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