The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) Joshua Rodriguez, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous actions during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, on 3 May 2009, while assigned to man and defend an observation post for Troop C, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Rodriguez distinguished himself by rapidly identifying the enemy’s assault force and repositioning himself on the observation post, despite the heavy RPG and machine gun fire that was striking all around him, to coordinated his platoon’s defense. First Lieutenant Rodriguez’s technical expertise, expert placement of his direct fire weapons systems, and ability to motivate his soldiers allowed him to defeat the enemy’s assault force as it attempted to breach his wire and then pursue the enemy with fires and close combat aviation to ensure their destruction. First Lieutenant Rodriguez’s valorous conduct under fire reflects great credit upon himself, the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.