Medal of Honor: José Rodela, Vietnam War, September 1, 1969

“Eighteen Hours of Fire”

In the crucible of Vietnam’s jungles, when his men were surrounded and battered by wave after wave of enemy fire, one Special Forces leader refused to falter. Sergeant First Class José Rodela endured wounds, fear, and exhaustion, yet stood tall for 18 straight hours, rallying his soldiers and breaking the enemy’s assault.

José Rodela
Vietnam War — September 1, 1969

Summary of Action

On September 1, 1969, in Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam, Sergeant First Class José Rodela was serving as the company commander of a South Vietnamese force advised and led by U.S. Army Special Forces. At dawn, the battalion came under a ferocious and sustained enemy assault, pinned down by rockets, mortars, and machine gun fire. Entire companies were shattered, and casualties mounted rapidly.

Rodela—himself already wounded—took immediate control of the situation. Ignoring his injuries, he exposed himself again and again to enemy fire, rallying his men, pulling the wounded to safety, and inspiring a defensive line where collapse seemed imminent. Amid the chaos, he personally neutralized an enemy rocket position that threatened to cut his battalion apart.

For 18 relentless hours, Rodela continued to direct his company through the fight, maneuvering his men, coordinating suppressive fire, and refusing evacuation despite his own wounds. His calm under fire, his courage in the face of overwhelming odds, and his sheer refusal to quit ultimately enabled the force to hold its ground and prevent annihilation.

Medal of Honor Citation

Sergeant First Class José Rodela is recognized for his valorous actions on September 1, 1969, while serving as the company commander in Phuoc Long Province, Vietnam. Rodela commanded his company throughout 18 hours of continuous contact when his battalion was attacked and taking heavy casualties. Throughout the battle, in spite of his wounds, Rodela repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to attend to the fallen and eliminate an enemy rocket position. His selfless courage and unwavering devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces of the United States.