January 29, 1952 - J. C. Rodriquez, Medal of Honor

 

* Joseph C. Rodriquez, born in San Bernardino on November 14, 1928, graduated from Valley College in 1950.

   

* Rodriquez was drafted in the fall of 1950 and was assigned as a member of Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division and deployed to Korea in early 1951.

   

* During an attack near Munye-ri, Korea, on May 21, 1951, his squad became pinned down by intense enemy fire.  PFC Rodriquez dashed 60 yards up the hill towards the enemy and tossing grenades, destroyed several gun emplacements and killed 15 enemy soldiers.  This allowed his squad to take control of a strategic location on high ground.

   

* On January 29, 1952, he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman.   

* PFC Rodriquez was the first San Bernardino resident to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award.

   

* In June 1952, Rodriquez was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.  He retired as a Colonel after 30 years of service.

   

* Colonel Rodriquez died on November 1, 2005, and was buried with full military honors at Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino.