R. M. Rhotenberry
Colonel, U.S. Army

In November 1950, then-Second Lieutenant R. M. Rhotenberry was serving as Commanding Officer of the Machine Gun Section of Company H, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On the night of 6-7 November, 2LT Rhotenberry's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Yongdon-ni, Korea. A machine-gun section of Company H was attached to Company C of the 38th Infantry Regiment to furnish supporting fire in holding positions on high ground where Company C was deployed. When a concealed enemy machine-gun opened fire on the left flank of the company with such accuracy that several machine-gunners and nearby riflemen were wounded, 2LT Rhotenberry's men became demoralized, abandoned their weapons, and ran for cover. 2LT Rhotenberry moved through the hail of enemy fire, rounded up his men and returned them to their positions. Seeing an abandoned light machine-gun lying close by, he moved the gun and ammunition to a point from which he could direct intense fire on the enemy positions. The heavy volume of fire he delivered, together with the fire of his section, silenced the hostile fire and forced the enemy to withdraw. Shifting his fire to the opposite flank that was heavily engaged, he assisted in repulsing the attack on the right flank of the company. After the initial attack was repulsed and while the lead platoon was being reorganized, a heavy concentration of mortar fire struck the position, killing the infantry platoon leader and causing several other casualties. 2LT Rhotenberry immediately assumed command of the platoon and, after organizing both the platoon and his machine-gun section, personally directed them in renewed action, forcing the enemy to retreat with heavy losses. 2LT Rhotenberry's courageous actions and inspiring leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

During the period September 1970 to June 1971, Colonel Rhotenberry served as Senior Advisor to the 5th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, and Commanding Officer, 5th Division Combat Assistance Team, Advisory Team 10, Third Regional Assistance Command, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) R. M. Rhotenberry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Machine Gun Section of Company H, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Rhotenberry distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yongdon-ni, Korea, on the night of 6 - 7 November 1950. On that date, a machine-gun section of Company H was attached to Company C of the regiment to furnish supporting fire in holding positions on high ground where the company was deployed. When a concealed enemy machine-gun opened fire on the left flank of the company with such accuracy that several machine-gunners and nearby riflemen were wounded, Second Lieutenant Rhotenberry's men became demoralized, abandoned their weapons, and ran for cover. Displaying outstanding courage, Lieutenant Rhotenberry moved through the hail of enemy fire, rounded up his men and returned them to their positions. Observing an abandoned light machine-gun lying close by, he moved the gun and ammunition to a point from which he could direct intense fire on the enemy positions. The heavy volume of fire delivered by him, together with the fire of his section, silenced the hostile fire and forced the enemy to withdraw. Shifting his fire to the opposite flank which was heavily engaged, he assisted in repulsing the attack on the right flank of the company. After the initial attack was repulsed and while the lead platoon was being reorganized, a heavy concentration of mortar fire struck the position, killing the infantry platoon leader and causing several other casualties. Lieutenant Rhotenberry unhesitatingly assumed command of the platoon and, organizing both the platoon and his machine-gun section, personally directed them in renewed action, forcing the enemy to retreat with heavy losses.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 288 (May 8, 1951)

Death and Burial

Colonel R. M. Rhotenberry died on 17 September 1995. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 64, Lot 6544.

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