Antonio Rodríguez Balinas

Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas (born February 28, 1928 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico) was the first commander of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command.

File:USAF.insignia.o7.collar.wag.png Brigadier General File:USArmySeal.png Silver Star Medal

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rodriguez Balinas joined the Army upon graduating from high school. He entered the officers candidate school program and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. (Lieutenant) after graduating. At the outbreak of the Korean War, he was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment and promoted to 1st Lt.

On April 23, 1951, 2nd Lt. Rodriguez Balinas who was assigned to "F" Co., of the 65th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Div., defended the left flank of his company from constent 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 1st Lt. 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 grensdes and singlehandedly completely destroyed the position and its occupants near Sorgyon-Myon, Korea. For his actions he was awarded his second Silver Star Medal.

On 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 Rodriguez 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 Col. Rodriguez Balinas accomplishments was to have all the missions and functions of a major U.S. Army Reserve Command under the First U.S. Army. Col. Rodriguez Balinas wanted the full autonomy for the Army Reserve forces in Puerto Rico.

On February 1977, the USAR Forces in Puerto Rico became a General Office Command with the establishment of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command with Antonio Rodriguez Balinas, who was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, as its first General Officer. In 1979, the USAR Forces in Puerto Rico were awarded the Best Major U.S. Army Reserve Command Award. Brig. General Rodriguez Balinas held the position of General Officer until 1980 when he retired.

Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas is quoted as saying: "Puerto Rico's contribution to the national defense has been noteworthy, and in some cases … decisive, as in the Korean War. I believe that Puerto Rico has done for this nation more than its share.", in the June 30, 2000 edition of the Puerto Rico Herald.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans