[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9114 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9114
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Special
Forces Command Sergeant Major Ramon Rodriguez of the Army for acts of
valor during the Vietnam War.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 23, 2024
Mr. Correa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Special
Forces Command Sergeant Major Ramon Rodriguez of the Army for acts of
valor during the Vietnam War.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR TO SPECIAL
FORCES SERGEANT RAMON RODRIGUEZ FOR ACTS OF VALOR DURING
THE VIETNAM WAR.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) At the age of 17, Ramon Rodriguez of Wilmington,
California, began his military career when he enlisted in the
Army during his junior year at Banning High School.
(2) While a Staff Sergeant in the Army, Ramon Rodriguez
served in Vietnam for 32 months during the Vietnam War. In that
time, then-Staff Sergeant Major Rodriguez received a total of
17 combat medals and awards in recognition of his heroism and
acts of valor against hostile enemy forces.
(3) Staff Sergeant Rodriguez's courage in combat has earned
him the distinction of being one of the most decorated combat
soldiers who served in Vietnam.
(4) For fearless actions while wounded and exposed to
intense enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Rodriguez's distinguished
service was further acknowledged by three Bronze Stars with V,
2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and five Purple Hearts.
(5) On August 16, 1967, he volunteered to guide a
helicopter pilot by flashlight to evacuate wounded platoon
members. The helicopter was the target of concentrated enemy
fire, yet Staff Sergeant Ramirez remained exposed until he had
directed the aircraft into the pick-up zone. Staff Sergeant
Rodriguez was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism.
(6) On November 8, 1967, Staff Sergeant Rodriguez entered a
Viet Cong tunnel complex that he knew was occupied by the
enemy. Despite the risk of cave-in, he employed grenades to
root out the enemy and cover the tunnel exits to prevent their
escape.
(7) On January 24, 1968, his outpost came under a heavy
barrage of enemy mortars, followed by a ground assault. The
platoon leader was mortally wounded, and Staff Sergeant
Rodriguez immediately assumed command of the platoon. The enemy
force was able to breach the perimeter and Staff Sergeant
Rodriguez, though wounded himself, began moving through the
trench line administering aid to the wounded personnel while
leveling intense fire that killed four enemy sappers. After the
casualties were moved to a safe area, he rallied the four
remaining men of the platoon, and courageously managed to hold
off the enemy onslaught.
(8) On February 26, 1968, Staff Sergeant Rodriguez's
platoon was ambushed during a search and clear mission. The
platoon leader and the lead man were seriously wounded, and the
platoon was pinned down by enemy fire. Staff Sergeant Rodriguez
assumed command and maneuvered the platoon to a location where
he could place a base of fire on the enemy troops, and he
pulled the platoon leader to safety. He repeated his gallant
actions, although he was wounded by small arms fire, until all
the wounded personnel were removed. A sweep of the area
revealed eight mortally wounded insurgents, seven AK-47 rifles,
and three grenade launchers.
(9) Staff Sergeant Rodriguez attended the United States
Ranger School and graduated with distinguished honors.
(10) Staff Sergeant Rodriguez led the Special Forces scuba
team at Ford Gulick, Canal Zone, Panama, and directed several
rescue missions.
(11) In 1981, Staff Sergeant Rodriguez earned the rank of
Command Sergeant Major at the United States Sergeant Major
Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas.
(12) Command Sergeant Major Rodriguez was nominated for the
Medal of Honor in 1982.
(13) Command Sergeant Major Rodriguez completed two more
assignments before officially retiring from the Army in 1983.
(14) On June 11, 2008, Command Sergeant Major Rodriguez was
inducted as a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame.
(15) Command Sergeant Major Rodriguez is known to be one of
the most decorated combat soldiers who served in the Vietnam
War.
(16) Rodriguez currently serves as the Chairman of the
Military and Veterans Affairs Commission for the County of Los
Angeles, California.
(17) Command Sergeant Rodriguez's devotion to duty and
personal courage are in keeping with the highest traditions of
the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and
the United States Army.
(b) Waiver of Time Limitations.--Notwithstanding the time
limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code,
or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain
medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President may
award the Medal of Honor under section 7271 of such title to Command
Sergeant Major Ramon Rodriguez of the Army for acts of valor,
sacrifice, and courage at the risk of his own life beyond the call of
duty during the Vietnam War.
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