Cleto Rodriguez Story

Cleto Rodriguez was born in San Marcos, Texas, on April 26, 1923. By the age of nine, both of his parents had died, and he was sent to San Antonio to live with relatives. Life was difficult, and he worked various jobs to make a living before dropping out of high school.

In 1944, Rodriguez joined the U.S. Army and became an automatic rifleman, equipped with a Browning Automatic Rifle, serving with Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Division. In early 1945, he and his company landed in the Philippines to help liberate the islands from Japanese occupation.

As the unit neared Manila, they were ordered to capture a heavily defended railroad station. About 100 yards from their target, Rodriguez and his company were pinned down by intense enemy fire. Taking the initiative, Rodriguez and fellow rifleman John Reese gathered ammunition and grenades and advanced toward the station without orders, determined to live up to their division’s motto: “We’ll do it.”

The two men reached a house about 60 yards from the station and held their position for over an hour, eliminating more than 35 enemy soldiers. Pressing forward, they intercepted additional Japanese troops attempting to reach fortified pillboxes, killing more than 40. Within 20 yards of the station entrance, Rodriguez charged while Reese provided cover. Rodriguez threw five grenades inside, destroying weapons and killing more enemy troops.

Running low on ammunition and grenades, the two leapfrogged back toward their unit, providing cover fire for each other. Reese was killed in the retreat, but Rodriguez returned safely. In two and a half hours of fighting, the pair eliminated nearly 100 enemy soldiers and destroyed several heavy weapons, allowing American forces to continue their advance into Manila. Both men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary bravery.

Rodriguez’s service didn’t end there. Just two days later, he attacked another enemy position, killing six more Japanese soldiers. He became the first Mexican American to receive the Medal of Honor in the Pacific Theater, one of 33 Texans and 17 Hispanics to earn the nation’s highest military award during World War II.

After returning home, Rodriguez briefly served in the U.S. Air Force before rejoining the Army. He went on to serve during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1970.

From humble beginnings, Cleto Rodriguez rose to become an American hero.