Antonio Rodriguez-Balinas

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Silver Star Medal to Antonio Rodriguez-Balinas (0-1685780), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 23 December 1951, Company G, reinforced by the weapons platoon of Company F, attacked heavily fortified hostile positions on Hill 200, near Sangyon-Myon, Korea. Lieutenant Rodriguez-Balinas, platoon leader of the weapons platoon, attached himself to the assault platoon in order to direct close support fire from the mortars and 57 millimeter rifles of his platoon. After the supporting fire was lifted, he joined the assault platoon in its attack on the well entrenched enemy. Firing his carbine and throwing hand grenades, he effectively destroyed one hostile position. During the course of this vicious fighting, Lieutenant Rodriguez-Balinas lost his carbine but, armed with only two hand grenades, he undauntedly charged another position manned by an enemy machine gun crew. He fearlessly walked through the lethal hail of fire directly toward the hostile bunker, hurled his hand grenades and completely destroyed the position and its occupants. Although painfully wounded in this action, he refused evacuation until the last of the wounded men had been removed to safety. Lieutenant Rodriguez-Balinas’ outstanding gallantry and inspirational leadership were instrumental in the success of the mission and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Antonio Rodriguez-Balinas (0-1685780), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company F, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 23 April 1951, while occupying defensive positions on Hill 305, in the vicinity of Ognyo-bong, Korea, Company F was subjected to a furious attack by an estimated 300 enemy. During the ensuing attack, Lieutenant Rodriguez-Balinas, leader of the Second Platoon, continuously moved through withering hostile fire, encouraging and directing his men. Upon learning that the platoon’s left flank was exposed, he personally went to the imperiled position to evaluate the situation and later returned with a squad to reinforce the weakened flank. Although the supply of ammunition was becoming critically low, he determinedly fought on until a re- supply of ammunition arrived. Lieutenant Rodriguez-Balinas’s gallantry under fire inspired the members of his unit to contain the enemy attack and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.