Shot down by fighters and crashed near Charleville, FR on 25 Feb 1944 in B-17G #42-31245. Evaded (EVD). After bail out, he hid in the woods until sundown. Approached a farmhouse he had staked out and received food/civilian clothes; then placed in the hands of the underground the next morning. He was together with Rex Hayes for awhile. Made it into Switzerland on 9 May 1944.



In September 1992 Rodriguez returned to Rienne in Belgium to meet up with the man - now aged 85 -who sheltered him for a week when on the run.



On entering Switzerland he was put in jail and interogated by Swiss Intelligence before being turned over to American Military Attache. He remained in Switzerland until 2 September 1944, when he and other American airmen walked to the Swiss frontier to meet the Seventh Army. The Seventh Army returned him to Naples, where he received orders back to the 8th AF. He was shot down on his 14th mission. Flew missions from 05 December 1943 to 25 February 1944. He flew on J. Ray Coleman crew.















Postwar: As an Air Force Reserve navigator he flew 10 airlift missions to SE Asia (Vietnam & Thailand) between 1965 and 1970. Qualified as a line navigator on C-141s with the 20th MAS, 436th MAW, Dover AFB. Retired on 30 May 1970. Received AF Commendation Medal in May 1970.



Distinguished Unit Citation, Am Oak Leaf Cluster, EAME w/2 Battle Stars, AF Commendation Medal