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235:, 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 First Class 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
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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
211:. 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.
200:. 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.
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Sergeant First Class Jose Rodela distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the company commander, Detachment B-36, Company A,
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with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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The Medal of Honor recognized Rodela's valorous actions on
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
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445:"Master Sergeant Jose Rodela | Valor 24 | Medal of Honor | the United States Army"
397:"Master Sergeant Jose Rodela | Valor 24 | Medal of Honor | The United States Army"
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Rodela receives the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony on March 18, 2014.
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In addition to the Medal of Honor, Rodela received the following awards:
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419:"Obama will award Medal of Honor to 24 overlooked Army veterans"
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Republic of
Vietnam Special Forces Honorary Jump Wings
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List of Medal of Honor recipients for the
Vietnam War
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Republic of
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
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161:veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the
181:in 1955 at age 17, and retired with the rank of
470:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
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495:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor
485:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
372:List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
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338:Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar
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196:in a March 18, 2014 ceremony in the
317:Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
233:5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
109:5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
326:Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
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35:Rodela during his time of service
350:Army Special Forces CSIB and DUI
347:Colombian Army Parachutist Badge
296:with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
285:with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
273:with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
302:with Silver Clasp and two Loops
417:Daniel Rothberg (2014-02-21).
313:with four Bronze Service Stars
306:National Defense Service Medal
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294:Meritorious Unit Commendation
490:United States Army soldiers
480:Recipients of the Air Medal
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289:Presidential Unit Citation
157:(born June 15, 1937) is a
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335:Master Parachutist Badge
331:Combat Infantryman Badge
353:5 Overseas Service Bars
300:Army Good Conduct Medal
283:Army Commendation Medal
215:Medal of Honor citation
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424:The Los Angeles Times
311:Vietnam Service Medal
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83:Years of service
57:Corpus Christi, Texas
205:Phước Long Province
341:Special Forces Tab
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179:United States Army
159:United States Army
77:United States Army
356:7 Service stripes
266:Bronze Star Medal
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133:Bronze Star Medal
16:RodelaFamiliesWWW
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428:. Retrieved
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401:. Retrieved
271:Purple Heart
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137:Purple Heart
115:Battles/wars
465:1937 births
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198:White House
155:Jose Rodela
119:Vietnam War
23:Jose Rodela
459:Categories
447:. US Army.
430:2014-02-21
403:2014-03-31
399:. army.mil
378:References
173:Rodela, a
106:Company A,
63:Allegiance
47:1937-06-15
277:Air Medal
185:in 1975.
142:Air Medal
86:1955–1975
361:See also
71:Service/
257:in 2014
125:Awards
73:branch
101:Unit
91:Rank
41:Born
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386:^
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