MSG Eloy A. Rodriguez, Jr.

21 February 1991, Saudi Arabia

USASOC

Master Sergeant Eloy A. Rodriguez, Jr., of Key West, Florida, died 21 February 1991 while supporting Operation DESERT STORM.

Rodriguez enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in 1975. While assigned to the 307th Medical Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC, he decided to reclassify as a Combat Medic and pursue a career in Special Forces. After graduating the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1979, he served in 5th Special Forces Group, U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment A - Europe, and 10th Special Forces Group.

MSG Rodriguez was rendering lifesaving aid to a badly injured fellow soldier when the UH-60 medical evacuation helicopter he was onboard crashed in a sandstorm in northwestern Saudi Arabia. He was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at the time of his death.