World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award for his actions as a private with Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division, US Army, on February 9, 1945,at the Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippine Islands. He enlisted in the US Army in early 1944 and was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations and was assigned to the 37th Infantry Division in the Philippines. On February 9, 1945 while engaging the enemy, he and fellow soldier Private Fist Class John N. Reese, Jr. destroyed Japanese resistance at the Paco Railroad Station in Manila and during the engagement Reese was killed. Both soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism beyond the call of duty. After the war, Rodriguez served in the US Air Force from 1952 to 1954 and again served in the US Army from 1955 to 1970, attaining the rank of master sergeant. His other military awards and honors include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star (with one oak leaf cluster), and the Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "He was an automatic rifleman when his unit attacked the strongly defended Paco Railroad Station during the battle for Manila, Philippines. 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 emplacements. Enemy fire became more intense as they advanced to within 20 yards of the station. Then, covered by his companion, Pvt. Rodríguez 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 machinegun. With their ammunition running low, the 2 men started to return to the American lines, alternately providing covering fire for each other's withdrawal.. In 21⁄2 hours of fierce fighting the intrepid team killed more than 82 Japanese, completely disorganized their defense, and paved the way for the subsequent overwhelming defeat of the enemy at this strongpoint. Two days later, Pvt. Rodríguez 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 his 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."