World War II Honoree

Rodolfo A. Oliveira

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL AND WAS DRAFTED AT THE AGE OF 19 IN 1940. HE WAS SWORN INTO THE ARMY AT FORT SAM HOUSTON IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. HE RECEIVED BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP WHEELER NEAR MACON, GEORGIA. AFTER BASIC, HE WAS SHIPPED OUT ON THE TROOP SHIP SUSAN B. ANTHONY TO TUNISIA. FROM THERE HE WENT TO SICILY WHERE HE JOINED THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION, 30TH REGIMENT (BLUE DEVILS) IN PREPARATION FOR THE INVASION OF ITALY. HE LANDED AT SALERNO AND BEGAN THE BATTLE UP THE BOOT TO EASTERN ITALY. HE FOUGHT THROUGH FRANCE TO THE RHINE RIVER, UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL GEORGE PATTON. HE WAS ASSIGNED AS A MORTAR MAN AND CAME IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY. HE COMPLETED 27 MONTHS OF DUTY FROM ENLISTMENT TO RELEASE AND ALL IN COMBAT SITUATIONS. AT THE SURRENDER OF GERMANY HE WAS RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES ON A TROOP SHIP AND TRANSFERRED TO CAMP FANNIN, TYLER, TEXAS WHERE HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY.