| Jose Rodela | |
| Birth Date: | 15 June 1937 |
| Birth Place: | Corpus Christi, Texas |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1955–1975 |
| Rank: | Master Sergeant |
| Unit: | Detachment B-36, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) |
| Battles: | Vietnam War |
| Awards: | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (2) Air Medal Army Commendation Medal (2) |
Jose Rodela (born June 15, 1937) is a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
Rodela, a Mexican-American, joined the United States Army in 1955 at age 17, and retired with the rank of master sergeant in 1975.[1]
Rodela was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a March 18, 2014 ceremony in the White House. The award comes through the Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American, African American and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.[2]
The Medal of Honor recognized Rodela's valorous actions on September 1, 1969, while serving as a company commander in Phước Long Province, South 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.[1]
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Rodela received the following awards:[1]