Jose Rodela (born June 15, 1937) is a
United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the
Medal of Honor.
Military career
Rodela, a
Mexican-American
Mexican Americans ( es, mexicano-estadounidenses, , or ) are Americans of full or partial Mexican heritage. In 2019, Mexican Americans comprised 11.3% of the US population and 61.5% of all Hispanic and Latino Americans. In 2019, 71% of Mexica ...
, joined the
United States Army in 1955 at age 17, and retired with the rank of
master sergeant in 1975.
Rodela was awarded the
Medal of Honor by President
Barack Obama in a March 18, 2014 ceremony in the
White House. The award comes through the Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American, African American and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor recognized Rodela's valorous actions on September 1, 1969, while serving as the company commander in
Phước Long Province,
South Vietnam
South Vietnam, officially the Republic of Vietnam ( vi, Việt Nam Cộng hòa), was a state in Southeast Asia that existed from 1955 to 1975, the period when the southern portion of Vietnam was a member of the Western Bloc during part of th ...
. Rodela commanded his company throughout 18 hours of continuous contact when his battalion was attacked and taking heavy casualties. Throughout the battle, in spite of his wounds, Rodela repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to attend to the fallen and eliminate an enemy rocket position.
Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Other awards
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Rodela received the following awards:
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Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
Wh ...
*
Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
*
Air Medal with "V" Device
*
Army Commendation Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
*
Presidential Unit Citation
*
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC; pronounced ''muck'') is a mid-level unit award of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Army awards units the Army MUC for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement or s ...
with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
*
Army Good Conduct Medal with Silver Clasp and two Loops
*
National Defense Service Medal
*
Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars
*
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
*
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Combat Infantryman Badge
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar
* Special Forces Tab
* Republic of Vietnam Special Forces Honorary Jump Wings
* Colombian Army Parachutist Badge
* Army Special Forces CSIB and DUI
* 5 Overseas Service Bars
* 7 Service stripes
See also
*
List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
*
List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodela, Jose
1937 births
United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
Living people
Recipients of the Air Medal
United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
United States Army soldiers
Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor