Saluting

CSM (R) Ramon Rodriguez

By How Miller

Were you to meet Ramon Rodriguez, as I did as a member of Special Forces Association Chapter 78, you would have no idea that he was one of the most highly decorated soldiers during the Vietnam War. This is not to say he looks any less than that; it’s more that he has moved past it and is still eager to help out any way he can. He energetically works as President and Chairman of American Veterans Assistance Group (AVAG), a Southern California charity that continues to help veterans in many ways, including providing affordable housing.

When I asked him to be a guinea pig and be my first video interviewee for the Chapter 78 website, he readily agreed. That led me to research him a little more deeply, and it was eye-opening to learn of his many exploits. Besides his many decorations and badges, he is an inductee in the Ranger Hall of Fame, California Veteran of the Year, past Chapter 78 president, a lifelong worker to help veterans, and has been recommended for the Medal of Honor.

He grew up near Long Beach and attended Banning High School in Wilmington. While there, he found himself in front of a judge who remembered his previous appearances. The judge strongly “suggested” to Ramon that he would be better off in the U.S. Army. With Ramon’s consent, he helped smooth that transition. It could be that the judge saw something in Ramon that he himself was overlooking.

Embracing this turn of events, Ramon volunteered for airborne training. After graduation, he was assigned to different airborne units, starting with the 101st Airborne Division. He reenlisted to join the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division at (then) Fort Bragg. When he was 24 years old, he was reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division, this time in Vietnam. He soon far exceeded expectations and ended up earning three Silver Stars in a 34-day period in different locations, along with many other decorations for bravery and excellent service in a combat zone during his 37 months in Vietnam.

Part of that time was spent with Special Forces. A soldier he had previously served with recommended him to the CO of the 5th SFG (A). Ramon accepted his invitation and eventually found himself at the MACV Recondo School, where he instructed soldiers from various units in Long Range Patrol tactics. This involved operating on real patrols, where a lot of action ended up happening.

In his later career, he attended Ranger School and was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his class. Still later, with the 7th SFG (A), he set up a ranger school in Honduras, initially graduating only 18 out of a large class who became the core of their nation’s ranger training. He also served as Battalion Intelligence Sergeant for the 75th Rangers at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

These were some of the reasons he was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2008 while serving as Chapter 78 President. On their website, there is a very detailed recounting of Ramon’s awards, badges, duty assignments, and accomplishments since his army retirement in 1983 after 23 years of service. It is a worthwhile read. Go to https://www.moore.army.mil/infantry/artb/RHOF/index.html and scroll down to 2008.

He also proceeded up the ranks and became a Command Sergeant Major, the rank he had at his retirement. Among Ramon’s more distinguished medals, he received 3 Silver Stars, 5 Purple Hearts, 3 Bronze Stars (1 with V for Valor), 2 ARCOM’s (one with V), along with his badges: CIB, Jumpmaster, Scuba Diver 1st Class, Halo Master, Air Assault, Jungle Expert, Pathfinder, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab, among others.

Ramon retired to Southern California, saying he had great choices of locations around the world, but nothing matched here.

Ramon recently had the privilege to walk in the Hollywood Christmas parade, accompanying the Grand Marshall, Green Beret, Ranger, and recent Medal of Honor recipient COL (Ret.) Paris Davis.

As of this writing, 46th CA District Congressman Lou Correa is about to introduce in Congress a recommendation for Ramon to be awarded the Medal of Honor he has waited so long for since his first recommendation in 1982. There is high hope that the people involved will have the proper combination of skills and luck to make it happen. Ramon is one of six Hispanic candidates that are still in limbo.

Ramon said he would be very happy to receive the award, but only in honor of all those who contributed.

We recently taped a video interview with Ramon. Click here to view it on YouTube.