Airman First Class James Peter Rodriguez
- Unit: 766th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
- Date of Birth: April 16, 1932
- Entered the Military: February 16, 1950
- Date of Death: June 4, 2016
- Hometown: New York, New York
- Place of Death: Midlothian, Virginia
- Award(s): Good Conduct Medal
- Cemetery: Section CR2, Row 13, Site 5. Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, Amelia Court House, Virginia
Mentored by Ms. Pamela Rockenbach Plahs
Swift Creek Middle School
2024/2025
Early Life
James Peter Rodriguez was born on April 16, 1932, in New York, New York. His father, Leoncio Rodriguez, immigrated from Ecuador. His mother, Frances A. Telegraph, grew up in Queens. Mr. Rodriguez’s parents were not married at the time of his birth and did not marry until January 1964.
James lived with his father, Leoncio (Leo) in Manhattan, New York City. By 1942, both his maternal grandparents had passed away. Then, his mother was listed on his father’s World War II Draft Registration Card as living with them. On August 21, 1945, James’s parents had a second son, his brother Roger.
It is uncertain where James, known as Jim, attended elementary school, but he attended the High School of Commerce in Manhattan. In his senior yearbook statement he planned to join the military and that sports and collecting records were his hobbies.
He graduated in 1949 at the age of 16. Because he was too young to enlist in the military, he worked as a butcher in New York City. He joined the U.S. Air Force on February 16, 1950, just a few months before the Korean War started.
Homefront
During the 1950s, many African Americans migrated to New York, seeking to escape the discrimination and oppression in the South. They hoped to obtain better opportunities and work. Migrants from Puerto Rico joined other immigrants like Leonicio Rodriguez, moving to New York City in hopes of escaping poverty. Both groups found that discrimination existed in New York City in the areas of education, housing, and employment. African Americans and Hispanic New Yorkers worked to try and educate the people. They talked about these unfair practices and put pressure on city officials to address them.
New York (Brooklyn) Navy Yard
The New York Navy Yard, referred to locally as the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was built in the early 1800s along the Wallabout Bay. Since its creation, it has been responsible for building, outfitting, and repairing ships for every major U.S. conflict.
During World War II, New York Navy Yard received the nickname “Can-Do Shipyard.” This is because during this era it saw its greatest increase in production. Its major role was to repair American and Allied ships damaged in battle. Post-World War II and during the Korean War the Naval Shipyard was responsible for updating World War II carriers to allow larger aircraft to takeoff and land from their decks.
United Nations Headquarters
In 1943, Allied nations made the decision to form an international peacekeeping organization. From April to June of 1945 representatives from 50 nations met in San Francisco, California to complete the formation of the United Nations. In December of 1945 the U.S. Congress voted to invite the United Nations to build its permanent headquarters. In February 1946, the United Nations General Assembly agreed to accept this invitation.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. offered to donate $8.5 million for a site in Manhattan on which the United Nations could build its headquarters. The United Nations General Assembly agreed and New York City provided additional gifts of property for the site. Construction began in 1949 and was completed in 1952. The United Nations Security Council met in New York City on June 27, 1950.
The United Nations Security Council made Resolution 83 to help South Korea after they were invaded by North Korean forces. On July 7, 1950 they approved Security Council Resolution 84. This authorized the United States to establish a United Nations Command. This consisted of military forces from United Nations members leading it to push back North Korean forces from South Korea.
Cultural and Economic Growth
As New York City’s population continued to grow in the 1950s, there was an increase in skyscrapers. These skyscrapers provided office space for expanding businesses seeking prime Manhattan addresses.
New York City’s Broadway theaters took the nation by storm. They showcased new musicals that would become well-loved shows. New York City’s music scene would bring about many new forms of music. One of the new styles of jazz was known as bebop. With New York City’s expansion into television broadcasting it attracted many aspiring actors and writers pursuing their dreams as well.
Military Experience
James Rodriguez made the decision to join the military after graduating high school. On February 16, 1950, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He entered as an Airman Basic, and eventually earned the rank of Airman First Class in April 1952. Mr. Rodriguez was an aircraft control and warning radar repairman.
Korean War
During the Korean War, aircraft control and warning radar repairmen ensured that radar systems were working correctly. They conducted preventative maintenance on the airfield radars to detect where the planes were in the airspace. They would also perform emergency maintenance when the radar systems broke. Their work was essential in making sure the radar systems were able to monitor the air over the Korean peninsula. They could tell the difference between United States/United Nations (US/UN) aircraft and planes from the enemy. The radar systems would provide the US or UN planes with the locations of enemy aircraft.
Rodriguez’s DD-214 indicated that he trained at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, Naval Air Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, the Bendix School of Electronics, and Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida. His last assignment was with the 766th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron station at Caswell Air Force Station in Limestone, Maine. The DD-214 lists that he served just over one year of overseas service, but there are no medals listed to confirm where he served.
Ending His Military Service
Rodriguez was honorably discharged from the military on September 8, 1953. He received a Good Conduct Medal. Rodriguez was very proud of his service and he would often be seen wearing his Korean War Veteran hat.
Veteran Experience
James P. Rodriguez returned to Manhattan, where he met his wife, Anne A. Nieto. James and Anne married in 1955.
They had three sons: James Jr., Donald, and Robert. James and Anne later became grandparents to Kara, Ethan, Addie, Emily, and Donald, Jr. The Rodriguez family eventually moved to Brick, New Jersey. This was near where his father lived, possibly to help care for his father when he became ill.
Rodriguez worked for Allied Signal Corporation (Bendix), possibly at the Teterboro, New Jersey plant. This plant manufactured flight control systems for military aircraft. Mr. Rodriguez had received training through Bendix while in the Air Force. He would likely have used the skills he acquired while working for them.
In 1989 after his father died, Rodriguez and his family moved to Midlothian, Virginia. Mr. Rodriguez began working at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV), now known as Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. Mr. Rodriguez eventually retired from this job.
Service Through the Knights of Columbus
Soon after arriving in Midlothian, Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez became parishioners at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church. Mr. Rodriguez was very active in the church. He became a member of the St. Edward the Confessor Knights of Columbus Council 654. As part of this organization, he became a Fourth Degree Knight and rose up the ranks to become a Faithful Navigator. This was the commander of the Fourth Degree Knights.
As a Fourth Degree Knight, he served as an honor guard at the funerals of fellow Knights and members of the Ladies Auxiliary. He also visited Veterans at McGuire Veterans Hospital. He served at special church functions and special events in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Rodriguez lived a life of service. He was an honorable person who helped people in need. He organized fundraising events such as the Lenten Fish Fries and bingo nights. These events raised money for charitable organizations including March of Dimes and Outreach in Love. He supported the Right to Life movement. He helped raise money for an ultrasound machine that the council donated to a clinic in downtown Richmond, Virginia.
Commemoration
After his wife, Anne, died from cancer in 2008, Rodriguez fell ill with cancer himself. This led to many hospital visits. After one of the hospital visits, he was told he could not go home alone. One of the Knights and his wife took care of him. He eventually moved to an assisted living home. There, other Knights came and visited him and reminisced about the past.
He died on June 4, 2016, when he was 84 years old. His funeral took place on June 9, 2016 at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church. He was buried at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia Court House.
Though Mr. Rodriguez left this life on earth, he left a lasting legacy. He built a life serving for his country and his community and caring for all those he encountered. Those who knew him spoke of his quiet, kind, and loving spirit. He did for others without asking for anything in return. He set an example as an instrument of positive change and truly lived a life of service.
Bibliography
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Superfortress radar observer with a pistol strapped to his side in case of bail out over enemy territory.
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This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.