Brigadier General Antonio Rodríguez Balinas[note 1] (February 28, 1928 – September 21, 2011) was the first commander of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command.
Antonio Rodríguez Balinas
Brigadier General Antonio Rodríguez Balinas The first commander of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command
On April 23, 1951, Rodríguez Balinas, who was assigned to "F" Co., of the 65th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, defended the left flank of his company from constant enemy attacks at Ognyo-Bong, Hill 305 at a great risk to his life. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal[2] and promoted to the rank of first lieutenant for his bravery. On December 23, 1951, he fearlessly walked through a lethal hail of enemy fire directly toward the hostile bunker of the enemy, hurled his hand grenades and singlehandedly completely destroyed the enemy position and its occupants near Sorgyon-Myon, Korea. For his actions he was awarded his second Silver Star and a Purple Heart.[3]
Later careeredit
Rodríguez Balinas continued his academic education and earned a PhD degree in Law from the UPR. In March 1968, the reserve units in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands of the United States Army were organized into the 166th Support Group. On July 14, 1973, the then-Colonel Rodríguez Balinas took command of the 166th Support Group and was given full command and control of all USAR (United States Army Reserve) units in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. One of Colonel Rodríguez Balinas's accomplishments was to have all the missions and functions of a major U.S. Army Reserve Command under the First U.S. Army. He wanted full autonomy for the Army Reserve forces in Puerto Rico.[1]
In February 1977, the USAR Forces in Puerto Rico became a General Office Command with the establishment of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command with Antonio Rodríguez Balinas, who was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, as its first General Officer. In 1979, the USAR Forces in Puerto Rico were awarded the Best Major U.S. Army Reserve Command Award. Brigadier General Rodríguez Balinas held the position of General Officer until February 27, 1988, when he retired after 37 years of active and reserve duty.[1] He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal upon his retirement.
In 2018 Antonio Rodríguez Balinas was posthumously inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.[4]
The Bravery Gold Medal of Greece was given by the government of Greece to the 65th Infantry Regiment and to the members of the regiment who fought in the Korean War.
You can see a video on YouTube of President Barack Obama awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Borinqueneers
On June 10, 2014, President Barack Obama, signed the legislation known as "The Borinqueneers CGM Bill" at an official ceremony. The Bill honors the 65th Infantry Regiment with the Congressional Gold Medal.[6][7][8][9]
Silver Star citationsedit
SILVER STAR SECOND LIEUTENANT ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ BALINAS HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION GENERAL ORDERS # 278 - July 13, 1951 Citation:
SECOND LIEUTENANT ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ BALINAS, 01685780, Infantry, Company "F", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On April 23, 1951, while occupying defensive positions on Hill 305, in the vicinity of Ognyo-bong, Korea, Company "F" was subjected to a furious attack by an estimated 300 enemy. During the ensuing attack, Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ BALINAS, leader of the Second Platoon, continuously moved through withering hostile fire, encouraging and directing his men. Upon learning that the platoon's left flank was exposed, he personally went to the imperiled position to evaluate the situation and later returned with a squad to reinforce the weakened flank. Although the supply of ammunition was becoming critically low, he determinedly fought on until a re- supply of ammunition arrived. Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ BALINAS'S gallantry under fire inspired the members of his unit to contain the enemy attack and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from Puerto Rico.[2]
SILVER STAR FIRST LIEUTENANT ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ BALINAS HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION GENERAL ORDERS # 197 - MAY 29, 1952 Citation:
First Lieutenant Antonio Rodriguez Balinas, # 01685780, Infantry, Company "F", 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On December 23, 1951, Company "G", reinforced by the weapons platoon of Company "F", attacked heavily fortified hostile positions on Hill 200, near Sangyon-Myon, Korea. Lieutenant Rodriguez Balinas, platoon leader of the weapons platoon, attached himself to the assault platoon in order to direct close support fire from the mortars and 57 millimeter rifles of his platoon. After the supporting fire was lifted, he joined the assault platoon in its attack on the well entrenched enemy. Firing his carbine and throwing hand grenades, he effectively destroyed one hostile position. During the course of this vicious fighting, Lieutenant Rodriguez Balinas lost his carbine but, armed with only two hand grenades, he undauntedly charged another position manned by an enemy machine gun crew. He fearlessly walked through the lethal hail of fire directly toward the hostile bunker, hurled his hand grenades and completely destroyed the position and its occupants. Although painfully wounded in this action, he refused evacuation until the last of the wounded men had been removed to safety. Lieutenant Rodriguez Balinas' outstanding gallantry and inspirational leadership were instrumental in the success of the mission and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Puerto Rico.[2]
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Balinas.
Further readingedit
Boudonck, Greg (15 March 2014). Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor. Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own. CreateSpace. ISBN978-1497352568.
^. Archived from the original on 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
^Obama honors Puerto Rican Infantry Regiment with Congressional Gold Medal, Washington Post, June 10, 2014.
^Dan Friedman, "Puerto Rico's Borinqueneers recognized with Congressional Gold Medal," New York Daily News, June 11, 2014.
^Obama awards Borinqueneers Congressional Medal of Honor, NBC News, June 10, 2014.
^Richard Payerchin, "President Obama to honor Army's Puerto Rican regiment the Borinqueneers," The Morning Journal, June 9, 2014.
. Puerto Rico Herald. June 30, 2000. Archived from the original on December 20, 2005.
External linksedit
. United States Army. Archived from the original on 2007-07-19. Retrieved 2006-12-15.
"65th Regional Readiness Command". GlobalSecurity.org. from the original on 14 December 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-15.
January 18, 2024
antonio, rodríguez, balinas, brigadier, general, note, february, 1928, september, 2011, first, commander, office, first, army, deputy, command, brigadier, general, first, commander, office, first, army, deputy, commandbornfebruary, 1928adjuntas, puerto, ricodi. Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas note 1 February 28 1928 September 21 2011 was the first commander of the Office of the First U S Army Deputy Command Antonio Rodriguez BalinasBrigadier General Antonio Rodriguez BalinasThe first commander of the Office of the First U S Army Deputy CommandBornFebruary 28 1928Adjuntas Puerto RicoDiedSeptember 21 2011Rio Piedras Puerto RicoPlace of burialPuerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamon Puerto RicoAllegianceUnited States of AmericaService wbr branch United States Army United States Army ReserveYears of service1948 1980RankBrigadier GeneralCommands heldOffice of the First U S Army Deputy Command 166th Support GroupBattles warsKorean WarAwardsSilver Star with Oak leaf clusterLegion of MeritPurple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster Contents 1 Early years 2 Korean War 3 Later career 4 Death 5 Military awards and decorations 5 1 Silver Star citations 6 Notes 7 Further reading 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksEarly years editRodriguez Balinas was born and raised in the town of Adjuntas Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education He joined the United States Army upon graduating from the University of Puerto Rico where he earned is Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Doctorate in Law from University of Puerto Rico School of Law Rodriguez Balinas entered the Officer Candidate School program and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon completing the program At the outbreak of the Korean War he was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment 1 Korean War editOn April 23 1951 Rodriguez Balinas who was assigned to F Co of the 65th Infantry 3rd Infantry Division defended the left flank of his company from constant enemy attacks at Ognyo Bong Hill 305 at a great risk to his life He was awarded the Silver Star Medal 2 and promoted to the rank of first lieutenant for his bravery On December 23 1951 he fearlessly walked through a lethal hail of enemy fire directly toward the hostile bunker of the enemy hurled his hand grenades and singlehandedly completely destroyed the enemy position and its occupants near Sorgyon Myon Korea For his actions he was awarded his second Silver Star and a Purple Heart 3 Later career editRodriguez Balinas continued his academic education and earned a PhD degree in Law from the UPR In March 1968 the reserve units in Puerto Rico and the U S Virgin Islands of the United States Army were organized into the 166th Support Group On July 14 1973 the then Colonel Rodriguez Balinas took command of the 166th Support Group and was given full command and control of all USAR United States Army Reserve units in Puerto Rico and the U S Virgin Islands One of Colonel Rodriguez Balinas s accomplishments was to have all the missions and functions of a major U S Army Reserve Command under the First U S Army He wanted full autonomy for the Army Reserve forces in Puerto Rico 1 In February 1977 the USAR Forces in Puerto Rico became a General Office Command with the establishment of the Office of the First U S Army Deputy Command with Antonio Rodriguez Balinas who was promoted to the rank of brigadier general as its first General Officer In 1979 the USAR Forces in Puerto Rico were awarded the Best Major U S Army Reserve Command Award Brigadier General Rodriguez Balinas held the position of General Officer until February 27 1988 when he retired after 37 years of active and reserve duty 1 He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal upon his retirement In 2018 Antonio Rodriguez Balinas was posthumously inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame 4 Death editHe died on September 21 2011 in Rio Piedras Puerto Rico and was buried with military honors in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery located in the city of Bayamon 5 Military awards and decorations editAmong Rodriguez Balinas decorations were the following nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Combat Infantryman BadgeSilver Star with 1 bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit Purple Heart with 1 bronze Oak Leaf ClusterArmy Commendation Medal Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal National Defense Service MedalKorean Service Medal with silver star Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze Hourglass device United Nations Korea MedalParachutist badgePresidential Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Commendation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationForeign decorationThe Bravery Gold Medal of Greece was given by the government of Greece to the 65th Infantry Regiment and to the members of the regiment who fought in the Korean War nbsp Chryssoun Aristion Andrias Bravery Gold Medal of Greece Congressional Gold Medal External videos nbsp You can see a video on YouTube of President Barack Obama awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the BorinqueneersOn June 10 2014 President Barack Obama signed the legislation known as The Borinqueneers CGM Bill at an official ceremony The Bill honors the 65th Infantry Regiment with the Congressional Gold Medal 6 7 8 9 Silver Star citations edit nbsp SILVER STAR SECOND LIEUTENANT ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ BALINAS HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION GENERAL ORDERS 278 July 13 1951 Citation SECOND LIEUTENANT ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ BALINAS 01685780 Infantry Company F 65th Infantry 3d Infantry Division United States Army On April 23 1951 while occupying defensive positions on Hill 305 in the vicinity of Ognyo bong Korea Company F was subjected to a furious attack by an estimated 300 enemy During the ensuing attack Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ BALINAS leader of the Second Platoon continuously moved through withering hostile fire encouraging and directing his men Upon learning that the platoon s left flank was exposed he personally went to the imperiled position to evaluate the situation and later returned with a squad to reinforce the weakened flank Although the supply of ammunition was becoming critically low he determinedly fought on until a re supply of ammunition arrived Lieutenant RODRIGUEZ BALINAS S gallantry under fire inspired the members of his unit to contain the enemy attack and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service Entered the military service from Puerto Rico 2 nbsp SILVER STAR FIRST LIEUTENANT ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ BALINAS HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION GENERAL ORDERS 197 MAY 29 1952 Citation First Lieutenant Antonio Rodriguez Balinas 01685780 Infantry Company F 65th Infantry 3d Infantry Division United States Army On December 23 1951 Company G reinforced by the weapons platoon of Company F attacked heavily fortified hostile positions on Hill 200 near Sangyon Myon Korea Lieutenant Rodriguez Balinas platoon leader of the weapons platoon attached himself to the assault platoon in order to direct close support fire from the mortars and 57 millimeter rifles of his platoon After the supporting fire was lifted he joined the assault platoon in its attack on the well entrenched enemy Firing his carbine and throwing hand grenades he effectively destroyed one hostile position During the course of this vicious fighting Lieutenant Rodriguez Balinas lost his carbine but armed with only two hand grenades he undauntedly charged another position manned by an enemy machine gun crew He fearlessly walked through the lethal hail of fire directly toward the hostile bunker hurled his hand grenades and completely destroyed the position and its occupants Although painfully wounded in this action he refused evacuation until the last of the wounded men had been removed to safety Lieutenant Rodriguez Balinas outstanding gallantry and inspirational leadership were instrumental in the success of the mission and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service Entered the Federal Service from Puerto Rico 2 Notes edit In this Spanish name the first or paternal surname is Rodriguez and the second or maternal family name is Balinas Further reading editBoudonck Greg 15 March 2014 Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts Glory and Honor Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own CreateSpace ISBN 978 1497352568 See also edit nbsp Biography portal nbsp Puerto Rico portalList of Puerto Ricans List of Puerto Rican military personnel 65th Infantry Regiment Borinqueneers Congressional Gold MedalReferences edit a b c Borinqueneers Archived from the original on 2015 04 14 Retrieved 2015 04 14 a b c Silver Star Citations Korean War Educator Retrieved 2006 12 16 First Lieutenant Antonio Rodriguez Balinas Silver Star citation 65th INFANTRY REGIMENT Silver Star Retrieved 2006 12 15 Salon de la Fama Primera Hora Archived from the original on 2011 09 24 Retrieved 2011 11 25 Obama honors Puerto Rican Infantry Regiment with Congressional Gold Medal Washington Post June 10 2014 Dan Friedman Puerto Rico s Borinqueneers recognized with Congressional Gold Medal New York Daily News June 11 2014 Obama awards Borinqueneers Congressional Medal of Honor NBC News June 10 2014 Richard Payerchin President Obama to honor Army s Puerto Rican regiment the Borinqueneers The Morning Journal June 9 2014 Puerto Rico Profile The 65th Infantry Regiment in Korea Puerto Rico Herald June 30 2000 Archived from the original on December 20 2005 External links edit 65th Regional Readiness Command History United States Army Archived from the original on 2007 07 19 Retrieved 2006 12 15 65th Regional Readiness Command GlobalSecurity org Archived from the original on 14 December 2006 Retrieved 2006 12 15 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Antonio Rodriguez Balinas amp oldid 1190810040, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
