It was a ceremony 40 years in the making to honor a Rio Grande Valley veteran for bravery in battle.
Rio Hondo native Seferino Rodriguez was awarded the Bronze Star Medal Tuesday in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen.
The Marine Lance Corporal also received a special certificate for heroic achievement and combat valor during "Operation Worth" in March of 1968.
Rodriguez took on enemy fire in Vietnam and was injured helping his squad break through enemy forces.
He tells Action 4 News he didn't think this day would come.
Lance Corporal Rodriguez says he shares the honor with all the men in his squad and asks that everyone continue to pray for our military servicemen and women still defending our country.
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