GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 163  24 May 1951

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL - By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, WD Bul 3, 1944), and pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded to the following named enlisted men :

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ, RA30402780, Infantry, Company "G", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 2 February 1951, near Kum-gong-ni, Korea, Company "H" and the third platoon of Company "G" were attacked during the night and the enemy had infiltrated through Company "H" into the rear of Private RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ'S platoon. The platoon leader had placed the rocket launcher team, of which Private RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ was gunner, in charge of guarding the rear of the platoon. Seeing figures approaching from the rear, Private RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ voluntarily left his position and armed only with a pistol, advanced toward them. As soon as he was able to identify them as enemy soldiers, he opened fire killing two, mortally wounding two and causing the others to flee in panic. The heroism and courage of Private RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ halted a possible enemy breakthrough and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from Puerto Rico.

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