Larry Joe Rodgers
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Larry Joe Rodgers (MCSN: 2353911), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 17 March 1968, during Operation WORTH, Private First Class Rodgers' company was assaulting a large, well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. As the Marines maneuvered forward, they began receiving intense automatic weapons, mortar and anti-tank rocket fire. In the initial burst of fire, all members of the lead squad's machine gun team were wounded. Disregarding his own safety. Private First Class Rodgers seized the weapon and immediately began delivering a heavy volume of fire against the enemy positions, which enabled his unit to maneuver to covered positions. Ignoring the hostile fire impacting around him, he resolutely remained in his dangerously exposed position and continued firing the weapon for ten minutes until he was mortally wounded by enemy automatic weapons fire. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty, Private First Class Rodgers upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.