Jose Rodela

Jose Rodela (born June 15, 1937) is a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Military career Rodela, a Mexican-American, joined the United States Army in 1955 at age 17, and retired with the rank of master sergeant in 1975.

Rodela was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a March 18, 2014 ceremony in the White House. 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.

The Medal of Honor recognized Rodela's valorous actions on September 1, 1969, while serving as a company commander in Phước Long Province, South Vietnam. 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.

Other awards

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Rodela received the following awards:

Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Air Medal with "V" Device Army Commendation Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Presidential Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Commendation with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Army Good Conduct Medal with Silver Clasp and two Loops National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Combat Infantryman Badge Master Parachutist Badge Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar Special Forces Tab Republic of Vietnam Special Forces Honorary Jump Wings Colombian Army Parachutist Badge Army Special Forces CSIB and DUI 5 Overseas Service Bars 7 Service stripes