Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Joseph C. Rodriguez Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Company F, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division; Company H, 2nd Battalion, 196th Regimental Combat Team; Corps of Engineers
- Location of Service: Camp Carson, Colorado; Munye-ri, Korea
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/89773
Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez was drafted into the Army shortly before his 22nd birthday in October 1950. After completing training as an infantryman, Rodriguez volunteered to go to Korea in early 1951, where he served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On May 21st, 1951 Rodriguez singlehandedly charged and eliminated a North Korean hilltop defensive position that had defied three previous assaults. For his courage and skill that day, Rodriguez was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor. Rodriguez went on to serve in the Army with distinction for 30 years. After retiring, he was frequently asked to speak to civic groups and schoolchildren, to whom he emphasized the importance of love for one another, and imparted messages of self-worth and patriotism.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayActions on hilltop near Munye-ri, Korea on 21 May 1951 that led to Rodriguez being awarded the Medal of Honor. 00:09:45.0 - 00:19:56.0
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PlayMeaning of the Medal of Honor to Rodriguez, being presented the Medal by President Harry Truman, and the sense of responsibility he feels as a recipient. 00:20:18.0 - 00:29:05.0
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PlayMessage of love and respect that Rodriguez emphasizes when he speaks to children; Rodriguez's faith in America's youth. 00:29:14.0 - 00:31:38.0
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PlayMessage of patriotism and self-worth that Rodriguez tries to pass on to children he speaks to. 00:33:35.0 - 00:37:18.0
About this Item
Title
- Joseph C. Rodriguez Collection
Names
- Wilkerson, Thomas L.
- unknown interviewer
- Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation (CMOH)
- Rodriguez, Joseph C.
Home State
- Texas
Headings
- - Rodriguez, Joseph C.
- - Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Hispanic
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Company F, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division; Company H, 2nd Battalion, 196th Regimental Combat Team; Corps of Engineers
- Location of Service: Camp Carson, Colorado; Munye-ri, Korea
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Dates of Service: 1950-1980
- Entrance into Service: Drafted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran earned the Medal of Honor for his service near Munye-ri on 05/21/1951.
Materials
- Video: Betacam SP [ item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-09-16)
- Video: Betacam SP [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-09-16)
- Manuscript: Biographical information [2 items] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2003-09-16)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/89773
Cite as
- Joseph C. Rodriguez Collection (AFC/2001/001/89773), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
Service Unit
- 17th Infantry Regiment
- 196th Regimental Combat Team
- 2nd Battalion
- 7th Infantry Division
- Company F
- Company H
- Corps of Engineers