Jose E. Navarro-Rodriguez

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Jose E. Navarro-Rodriguez (US50100816), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 30 September 1951, Company I attacked a hill near Chorwon, Korea, which was strongly held by a well entrenched and fanatically determined enemy force. As the unit advanced upon the hostile defenses, it was subjected to intense automatic weapons and mortar fire from two advantageously located wooden bunkers. Realizing that the destruction of these lethal obstacles was necessary to allow the company to continue its advance, Private Navarro-Rodriguez quickly dashed across the exposed terrain to within grenade range of the enemy emplacements, and although fully revealed to the fury of the hostile counterfire, threw hand grenades into the positions, completely destroying them. When this was done, the enemy defense crumbled and the rest of the hostile troops fled the area, hotly pursued by Company I. Joining in the advance, Private Navarro-Rodriguez bore a machine gun to the top of the hill and mounted it to pour heavy fire into the ranks of the dispersed and retreating enemy. As he was engaged in this action, he fell mortally wounded from the desperate hostile return fire. The fearless contribution that Private Navarro-Rodriguez made to his unit’s mission and the completely selfless gallantry with which it was accomplished, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service