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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients RODRIGUEZ, CLETO Rank and organization: Technical
Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division.
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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients RODRIGUEZ, CLETO Rank and organization: Technical
Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division.
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Citation: He was an automatic rifleman
when his unit attacked the strongly defended Paco Railroad Station during the battle
for Manila, Philippine Islands. While making a frontal assault across an open field,
his platoon was halted 100 yards from the station by intense enemy fire. On his own
initiative, he left the platoon, accompanied by a comrade, and continued forward to
a house 60 yards from the objective. Although under constant enemy observation, the
2 men remained in this position for an hour, firing at targets of opportunity, killing
more than 35 hostile soldiers and wounding many more. Moving closer to the station
and discovering a group of Japanese replacements attempting to reach pillboxes, they
opened heavy fire, killed more than 40 and stopped all subsequent attempts to man
the emplacements. Enemy fire became more intense as they advanced to within 20 yards
of the station. Then, covered by his companion, Pvt. Rodriguez boldly moved up to
the building and threw 5 grenades through a doorway killing 7 Japanese, destroying
a 20-mm. gun and wrecking a heavy machinegun. With their ammunition running low, the
2 men started to return to the American lines, alternately providing covering fire
for each other's withdrawal. During this movement, Pvt. Rodriguez' companion was killed.
In 2 l/2 hours of fierce fighting the intrepid team killed more than 82 Japanese,
completely disorganized their defense, and paved the way for the subsequent overwhelming
defeat of the enemy at this strongpoint. Two days later, Pvt. Rodriguez again enabled
his comrades to advance when he single-handedly killed 6 Japanese and destroyed a
well-placed 20-mm. gun by his outstanding skill with his weapons, gallant determination
to destroy the enemy, and heroic courage in the face of tremendous odds, Pvt. Rodriguez,
on 2 occasions, materially aided the advance of our troops in Manila.