The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ramon Rodriguez (ASN: RA-19682251), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Rodriguez distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in Company A, 2d Battalion (Airmobile), 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in action near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on 24 January 1968. At approximately 0230 hours on that date, his outpost came under a heavy barrage of enemy mortars, followed by a ground assault. During the initial ground assault, the platoon leader was mortally wounded. Sergeant Rodriguez immediately assumed command of the platoon and courageously directed artillery and air strikes to within fifty meters of the perimeter. The enemy force was able to breach the perimeter and began moving throughout the area throwing satchel charges. Sergeant Rodriguez, with complete disregard for his own safety, began moving through the trench line administering aid to the wounded personnel, leveling intense fire that killed four enemy sappers. After the casualties were moved to a safe area, he rallied the remainder of the platoon, which consisted of only four men, and courageously managed to hold off the enemy onslaught. Although wounded in the arm, he continued to move throughout the area directing friendly fire until his element was reinforced at dawn. Sergeant Rodriguez’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Ramon Rodriguez (ASN: RA-19682251), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Rodriguez distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in Company A, 2d Battalion (Airmobile), 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in action near Phu Bai, Republic of Vietnam, on 26 February 1968. On that date, his platoon was on a search and clear mission when it was ambushed by an unknown size enemy force. In the initial contact, the platoon leader and the lead man were seriously wounded. The insurgents leveled effective grazing fire that kept the point element pinned down. Sergeant Rodriguez, assuming command of the platoon, maneuvered it to where it could place a base of fire on the enemy troops. With complete disregard for his own safety, he then moved under the heavy volume of hostile fire to the platoon leader and pulled him to safety. He repeated his gallant actions, although he was wounded by small arms fire, until all of the wounded personnel were removed. A sweep of the area revealed eight mortally wounded insurgents, seven AK-47 rifles, and three grenade launchers. Sergeant Rodriguez’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.