2nd.Lt. Vidal RODRIGUEZ AMARO

Second Lieutenant VIDAL RODRIGUEZ AMARO, 02034123, Infantry, Company "I", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. In the early morning hours of 7 August 1952, Company "I", of which Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ AMARO was a platoon leader, was assigned the mission of assaulting an enemy stronghold in the vicinity of Chu-dong, Korea. As the elements of the two friendly assault platoons approached their objective, they encountered the fierce small arms and automatic weapons fire of an enemy ambush, inflicting several casualties among them and forcing them to halt in their advance. Immediately and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ AMARO moved about the fire swept terrain shouting words of encouragement to his men, directing their fire and evacuating four wounded soldiers. Upon realizing that one of the assault platoons was disorganized, he quickly reorganized the men and led them in engaging the enemy. Employing grim determination and aggressive leadership, he boldly made a one man charge upon the foe, personally killing ten of them by subjecting them to a deadly hail of fire from his carbine and accurately hurling grenades among them. When an intense barrage of hostile mortar and artillery fire necessitated the withdrawal of the friendly unit, Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ AMARO, oblivious to the enemy fire, directed the withdrawal of his platoon and courageously assisted in evacuating another friendly casualty. Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ AMARO'S extreme gallantry, intrepid actions, and inspirational leadership were responsible for inflicting numerous casualties among the enemy, allowed the friendly unit to elude the hostile ambush, and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from Puerto Rico.

Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3^rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 -National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.