Lt. Col. Arturo Rodriguez, a Pearsall native, receives the Meritorious Service Medal (4) and Army Commendation Medal (5) from Fort Bliss Garrison Commander Col. Michael V. Soyka during an awards ceremony June 5 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Rodriguez was recognized for seven years of service from 2019 to 2026 at Fort Bliss, where he served in multiple leadership positions, including executive officer for the 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element, deputy public affairs officer for the 1st Armored Division and, most recently, Fort Bliss Garrison executive officer. During his tenure, he deployed to Afghanistan and Poland with the 1st Armored Division. Rodriguez, the son of Arturo Jr. and Nelda Rodriguez of Pearsall, will next serve as public affairs director for the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea, marking his third assignment to the country. He has completed 23 years of military service.
