Rodriquez Range

Rodriquez Range. . memory of , T/SGT. Cleto Rodriquez , Co. B. 148th Inf. , For outstanding valor Feb. 9, 1945 , Awarded Congressional Medal of Honor , 37th Division Veterans Association. , Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant (then Private), US Army, Company B, 148th Infantry 37th Infantry Division. Pace and date: Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippine Islands 9 February 1945. Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex. Birth: San Marcos, Tex. G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945. Citation: He was an automatic rifleman when his unit attacked the strongly defended Paco Railroad Station during the battle for Manila Philippine Islands. While making a frontal assault across an open field, his platoon was halted 100 yards from the station by intense enemy fire. On his own initiative, he left the platoon, accompanied by a comrade, and continued forward to a house 60 yards from the objective. Although under constant enemy observation, the 2 men remained in this position for an hour, firing at targets of opportunity, killing more than 35 hostile soldiers and wounding many more. Moving closer to the station and discovering a group of Japanese replacements attempting to reach pillboxes, they opened heavy fire, killed more than 40 and stopped all subsequent attempts to man the replacements. Enemy fire became more intense as they advanced to within 20 yards of the station. Then, covered by his companion, PVT Rodriguez boldly moved up to the building and threw 5 grenades through a doorway killing 7 Japanese, destroying a 20-mm gun and wrecking a heavy machine gun. With their ammunition running low, the 2 men started to return to the American lines, alternately providing covering fire for each other's withdrawal. During his movement, PVT Rodriguez' companion was killed. In 2 1/2 hours of fierce fighting the intrepid team killed more than 82 Japanese completely disorganized their defense, and paved the way for subsequent overwhelming defeat of the enemy at this strong point. Two days later, PVT Rodriguez again enabled his comrades to advance when he single-handedly killed 6 Japanese and destroyed a well-placed 20-mm gun by his outstanding skill with hrs weapons, gallant determination to destroy the enemy, and heroic courage in the face of tremendous odds, PVT Rodriguez, on 2 occasions, materially aided the advance of our troops in Manila.