APOLONIO R. RINEN, Private First Class, Headquarters Company, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts. For extraordinary heroism in action in the vicinity of Samal, Bataan, Philippine Islands, on January 9, 1942. Having been detailed with a non-commissioned officer to install and operate a radio set in the vicinity of his regimental outpost line, with the mission of relaying information of the enemy to his regimental command post, Private First Class Rinen’s position was jeopardized by strong enemy advance units which had struck both flanks of the outpost line and forced the withdrawal of the outpost force. Although he knew that enemy troops were in close proximity on both flanks and to his rear, this intrepid soldier remained behind his own withdrawing unit to assist in the transmission of valuable information of enemy strength and disposition to his commanding officer. Not until his mission was fully accomplished did Private First Class Rinen proceed to rejoin his unit, assisting in carrying the radio equipment across four kilometers of open country, through enemy fire and patrols, and across three deep river fords to his regimental area.
Mr. Rinen resides in California.