A Note from The Virtual Wall
The President of the United States
takes pride in presenting the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
posthumously to
RUDOLPH SOTELO RENTERIA
Specialist 4
United States Army
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Renteria distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 August 1968 while serving as a squad leader of an infantry company in the district of Phu Giao, Binh Duong Province. His company attacked a North Vietnamese Army company, and received hand grenade, automatic weapons, small arms and anti-tank rocket fire. One of the grenades landed near him and his men, and Specialist Renteria immediately shouted a warning to them. Although wounded when the grenade exploded, he ignored his injury and continued to fire his rifle and throw hand grenades at the North Vietnamese. Another hostile grenade landed next to a wounded comrade. With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Renteria attempted to reach it to hurl it away from the stricken man. Before he could accomplish this the grenade detonated, killing him instantly. Specialist Four Renteria's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Bravo Company, 2/16 Infantry, lost five men in the action described above:
- SGT Glenn F. Dean, West Bend, WI
- SGT Adolfo V. Moreno, Artesia, CA
- SP4 Benny D. Bess, McAlester, OK
- SP4 Rudolph S. Renteria, San Jose, CA (Dist Svc Cross)
- PFC Dennis P. Friedhoff, Elma, IA
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