Clifford R. Rodriguez

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Clifford R. Rodriguez (RA06562803), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Master Sergeant Rodriguez distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yangnung-ni, Korea, on 27 September 1950. On that date, Master Sergeant Rodriguez was in a motor convoy en route to take combat positions when the convoy was ambushed. The vehicle in which Sergeant Rodriguez was riding was the first vehicle to be hit. Taking immediate action, Sergeant Rodriguez got all but the critically wounded off the truck and deployed them to engage the enemy. His action destroyed several enemy automatic weapons. He then moved the personnel with him to the high ground on the left to secure the left flank of his company. In doing this, he was severely wounded in the shoulder, leg, and foot. These wounds rendered him immobile except for crawling. Notwithstanding, he continued deployment his troops, directing fire and participated in the fire-fight. When the detachment was ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Rodriguez covered the withdrawal with his own fire and then crawled to a covered position where he might be assisted without exposing anyone else to enemy fire. Medical attention was declined until all wounded members of his platoon had been treated. His inspiring leadership encouraged other members of the platoon to beat off the enemy attack and thereby prevented the left flank from being overrun.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 207 (December 22, 1950)