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The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Technical Sergeant Cleto L. Rodriguez (ASN: 38456591), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on 9 February 1945, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. Technical Sergeant Rodriguez was an automatic rifleman when his unit attacked the strongly defended Paco Railroad Station during the battle for Manila, Philippine Islands. While making a frontal assault across an open field, his platoon was halted 100 yards from the station by intense enemy fire. On his own initiative, he left the platoon, accompanied by a comrade, and continued forward to a house 60 yards from the objective. Although under constant enemy observation, the two men remained in this position for an hour, firing at targets of opportunity, killing more than 35 hostile soldiers and wounding many more. Moving closer to the station and discovering a group of Japanese replacements attempting to reach pillboxes, they opened heavy fire, killed more than 40 and stopped all subsequent attempts to man the emplacements. Enemy fire became more intense as they advanced to within 20 yards of the station. Then, covered by his companion, Private Rodriguez boldly moved up to the building and threw five grenades through a doorway killing 7 Japanese, destroying a 20-mm gun and wrecking a heavy machinegun. With their ammunition running low, the two men started to return to the American lines, alternately providing covering fire for each other’s withdrawal. During this movement, Private Rodriguez’ companion was killed. In 2 1/2 hours of fierce fighting the intrepid team killed more than 82 Japanese, completely disorganized their defense, and paved the way for the subsequent overwhelming defeat of the enemy at this strongpoint. Two days later, Private Rodriguez again enabled his comrades to advance when he single-handedly killed six Japanese and destroyed a well-placed 20-mm gun by his outstanding skill with his weapons, gallant determination to destroy the enemy, and heroic courage in the face of tremendous odds, Private Rodriguez, on two occasions, materially aided the advance of our troops in Manila.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant [then Private First Class]

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    148th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 27, 1945
    Headquarters, 37th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 325 (October 4, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Private First Class] Cleto L. Rodriguez (ASN: 38456591), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 27 February 1945. After an attack by two platoons of his company against the Legislative Building in Manila had been repulsed with heavy casualties, Technical Sergeant Rodriguez led an assault against the enemy strongpoint on the following day. Moving under Japanese fire from both the Legislative and Finance Buildings, he gained an entrance through the rear of the building. He suddenly came upon four Japanese manning a machine gun, and although wounded in the face by fragments of a Japanese hand grenade, he closed in on the enemy and killed them all with his automatic rifle. Technical Sergeant Rodriguez’s alertness and courage in the face of great danger was an inspiration to his company, and played a major role in the ultimate securing of the building. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Technical Sergeant [then Private First Class] Rodriguez, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.