#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Charles Rodriguez

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Charles Rodriguez. Charles served as part of Merrill’s Marauders during World War II.

Charles Rodriguez was drafted into the Army in 1942. He received training as a medic and infantryman. After his training he was sent to Colorado and assigned to an armored division. While there, President Roosevelt asked for volunteers for a top-secret mission. Charles was looking for adventure so he decided to volunteer. He left in the middle of the night and sailed for India. When he arrived in India, he learned that he was one of Merrill’s Marauders. As a part of this unit his mission was to go behind Japanese lines and ensure that they did not capture India. His unit was also trying to help the Chinese fight off the Japanese by cutting the Japanese supply lines. In order to accomplish this goal, Charles and his unit were to take the town of Myitkyina in Myanmar.

While on this mission, Charles was injured and was transported to a hospital in India. He went home in 1945 and was discharged. Out of the 3,000 Marauders that were originally sent to India there were only 200 that were able to return home. Upon his return home, Charles married his wife, Margaret, and they had nine children together.

Thank you for your service, Charles!

More of his story can be found at http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.43754/

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Graphic By Lilian Vo: Lilian Vo is an undergraduate senior at George Mason University studying Global Affairs and Intelligence Analysis.