Msg Richard Anthony Rodriguez (Ret)

Dateline: Raeford

MSG Richard Anthony Rodriguez, (Ret), 45, passed away Friday, January 4, 2019.

Master Sergeant Richard A. Rodriguez was born Aug. 28, 1973 in Los Angeles, Calif. He graduated from John A. Rowland High School in Rowland Heights, Calif. in 1991, enlisting as an infantryman in August and retired on Aug. 31, 2012.

He served with 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Ranger Training Brigade and 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) in Italy.

He attended the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant’s course in 2002. MSG Rodriguez completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in Aug. 13, 2002.  He was assigned to Operational Detachment-Alpha 7315 as the Senior Weapons Sergeant, the Intelligence Sergeant and ultimately the Detachment Operations Sergeant.

His assignments included: the 1st Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, the Ranger Training Brigade, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and then assigned as a Detachment Operations Sergeant assigned to ODA 7315, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

In addition, he was a Machine Gunner in the 75th Infantry Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia (92-94); an Instructor and Squad Leader at Ranger Training Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Benning, Georgia (94-99); a Weapons Squad Leader in the 503rd Infantry Battalion, Camp Ederle, Italy (99-02); a student at 1st Special Warfare Training Group, a Senior Weapons Sergeant and Team Sergeant in the 7th Special Forces Group, United States Army Special Forces Command, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (02-12).

MSG (R) Rodriguez' awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Bronze Star Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Four Campaign Stars, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Special Operations Diving Supervisor Badge, SCUBA Diver Badge, Royal Colombian Parachutist Badge, and British Parachutist Wings.

MSG (R) Rodriguez military education includes: Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, Basic Instructor Training, Basic Noncommissioned Course, Combat Diver Qualification Course, Combat Lifesavers Course, Professional Leadership Development Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (High Risk), Special Forces Diving Supervisor Course, Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, and Spanish Basic Military Language Course.

He is survived by his loving wife, Heidi Rodriguez; a son Richard; daughters, Alexis, Alyssa and Alicia; a granddaughter, Paisley Rose Rodriguez; his parents, Richard and Maureen Rodriguez; brothers, David Rodriguez and Steven Rodriguez; a sister, Lori Frias and many extended family members.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, February 9, 2019 at JFK Memorial Chapel, Building D-3116, Ardennes and Zabitosky Streets, Fort Bragg, North Carolina 28310.

Burial will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

We will celebrate his life 4:30 PM Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 305 Teal Dr. Raeford, NC 28376. Please RSVP to Brenda Lucchetti, 910-261-2121.

Arrangements for the family are entrusted to LaFayette Funeral Home, 6651 Raeford Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28304. On-line condolences may be made at www.lafayettefh.com.