MILITARY SERVICE

At the end of December Rodriguez was then assigned to Bravo Company, 35th Infantry Regiment, Hawaiian Division in Hawaii. The unit’s role at the time in 1936 was to be on standby and ready as a defense force  in case Japan was to invade the islands, who were a growing threat at the time. Rodriguez remained assigned to the unit for three years and rose to the rank of Corporal. By April 1939 he was demoted to Private due an incident and was transferred to the 30th Infantry Regiment months later in August.

WWII

In November of 1939 Rodriguez was reassigned to the Japanese Relocation Center located in Casa Grande, Arizona. There in Arizona he served in the 319th Military Police Escort Guard Company. His duties was to be a guard at a Japanese internment camp for the next few years until early 1945. Having to have risen up through the ranks again only to be demoted down to Private again. Rodriguez was now assigned to the 303rd detachment as a Medical Technician for a General Hospital forming in Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Months later in July the 303rd Detachment would then be deployed to Tinian located in the Northern Mariana Islands. The unit was prepared to set up and inhabit a 10,000 bed hospital facility only to find a handful of tents at their use upon arrival.

In November of 1945 Private First Class Rodriguez arrived in San Francisco and was discharged from duty after 9 years of service. Not long after in February of 1946, PFC Rodriguez decided to reenlist again and go airborne. After graduating Airborne school he spent the majority of his time in Germany till being transferred to New Jersey on November 11 of 1946. Then in 1947 Rodriguez married his wife and had two boys. 

Korean War

In 1950 Rodriguez was now assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. The 187th Airborne consisted of men that were either assigned to the 11th or 82nd Airborne prior to building up the 187th. During the time the 187th Airborne Regiment was an elite fighting force and the Regiment was always ready for a fight. In September of 1950 now Master Sergeant Rodriguez was the NCOIC for Lima Company. Lima Company consisted of men that had the option of either doing prison time or serve in the military, or were service members that spent time in the brig. Lima Company had landed in Gimpo-si, Korea and their mission was to engage and wipe out any North Korean Guerrilla companies. 

The Ambush

     On 27 September 1950, Lima company was on the move passing through rice paddies and hills all around they drove up to a village(Yanggong-ni)and were greeted by villagers. Who were cheering and happy to see American forces passing through and pushing their efforts to finish the fight. While Lima Company’s convoy began moving they received enemy contact from motors and indirect fire. In the ambush Master Sergeant Rodriguez was hit 3 times, one in the shoulder, one in the leg, and one in the foot. While MSG Rodriguez constantly refused medical aid and demanded that the aid will go to the soldiers who are unable to move and for those who can still move will cover the companies left side in order to prevent the enemy from flanking them on the left. 

      While still being wounded himself MSG Rodriguez crawled his way to the front to better manage his platoon. He assured his men that he was there fighting alongside them. After four hours of contact an order to withdraw was finally called into MSG Rodriguez. MSG Rodriguez ensured that his platoon was able to bound back along with taking the wounded with them. He advised no additional soldiers to be sent to help him, for it would only risk the life of another, therefore he crawled back to his unit once all his soldiers cleared the area. 

     Upon arrival at the medical station MSG Rodriguez ensured every single one of his men were medically treated before he was. Even though he himself needed medical aid he still ensured his soldiers were treated first. MSG Rodriguez was sent back to the states on 21 October 1951. The company commander at the time Lieutenant William Weber described MSG Rodriguez action as an “Example of concern and loyalty from leader to follower that might well be emulated.” 

Distinguished Service Cross citation

General Orders No. 207 (December 22, 1950)

“ The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Master Sergeant Clifford Rodney Rodriguez (ASN: RA-6562803), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Master Sergeant Rodriguez distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yangnung-ni, Korea, on 27 September 1950. On that date, Master Sergeant Rodriguez was in a motor convoy en route to take combat positions when the convoy was ambushed. The vehicle in which Sergeant Rodriguez was riding was the first vehicle to be hit. Taking immediate action, Sergeant Rodriguez got all but the critically wounded off the truck and directed them to engage the enemy. His action destroyed several enemy automatic weapons. He then moved the personnel with him to the high ground on the left to secure the left flank of his company. In doing this, he was severely wounded in the shoulder, leg, and foot. These wounds rendered him immobile except for crawling. Notwithstanding, he continued sending his troops, directing fire and participated in the fire-fight. When the detachment was ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Rodriguez covered the withdrawal with his own fire and then crawled to a covered position where he might be assisted without exposing anyone else to enemy fire. Medical attention was declined until all wounded members of his platoon had been treated. His inspiring leadership encouraged other members of the platoon to beat off the enemy attack and thereby prevented the left flank from being overrun. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Rodriguez on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.”

The Return

February 1951 MSG Rodriguez returned to Korea only to find his company scattered in between outpost(s). While inches of snow began falling from the sky and soldiers and weapons began to freeze up. While the Lima Company remained in Punggi Pass, they were given orders to move 41 miles up to Wonju. And to double time their travel efforts in order to hold off the 12th Army(China). The Company took their positions at Hill 339 with contact from both the Chinese and their own artillery. On February 14th the 2nd and 3rd Battalion which included Lima Company were ordered to take Hill 342 and it had to happen no later than February 14. The battalions awaited till nightfall then the attack to take Hill 342 began. Lima Company was able to fight and hold the crest of the hill till dawn. Once dawn hit that would be the last time MSG Rodriguez would see 1LT Weber. During the fight 1LT Weber had lost an arm and continued on the fight till he had lost a leg then was immediately taken to seek medical aid. 

Fort Bragg

Master Sergeant Clifford Rodney Rodriguez now rest at Fort Bragg Main Post Cemetery Row 7 Ill 207.

American Legion 

Society in the 50s was different then it is now whereas back then Mexican Veterans weren't welcome in the 20 American Legion Post that were in Santa Clara because of the color of there skin and how they looked for racial discrimination was very heavy in those days. November 30, 1951 the Mexican-American veterans decided to start there own American Legion Post and name it after MSG Rodriguez in honor of his service. Upon his death in 1951 the Post decided in order to honor his service and sacrifice was to add his name into Post 809 naming it after him. Whereas from 1951 to today we have been named as American Legion Clifford R. Rodriguez Post 809.