Brigadier General Antonio Rodríguez Balinas (February 28, 1928 – September 21, 2011) was the first commander of the Office of the First United States Army Deputy Command.
Early years
Rodríguez 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. Rodríguez 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.
Korean War
On April 23, 1951, Rodríguez Balinas, who was assigned to Company "F", 65th Infantry, 3d 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 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.
Later career
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 Army. He wanted full autonomy for the Army Reserve forces in Puerto Rico.
Death
He died on September 21, 2011, in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, and was buried with military honors in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery located in the city of Bayamon.
Military awards and decorations
Among Rodríguez Balinas' decorations were the following:
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|colspan="3"|File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg
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|colspan="12"|Combat Infantryman Badge
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|colspan="4"|Silver Star with 1 bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
|colspan="4"|Legion of Merit
|colspan="4"|Purple Heart with 1 bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
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|colspan="4"|Army Commendation Medal
|colspan="4"|Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
|colspan="4"|National Defense Service Medal
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|colspan="4"|Korean Service Medal with silver star
|colspan="4"|Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze Hourglass device
|colspan="4"|United Nations Korea Medal
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|colspan="12"|Parachutist badge
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|colspan="7"|Presidential Unit Citation
|colspan="7"|Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
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Foreign decoration
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.
- 60px Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece)
Congressional Gold Medal
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.