Richard sends us a link to the Marine Corps Times about Retired Marine Master Sergeant Rodney Buentello who was enjoying the day at a picnic with his family near San ANtonio, Texas when a teen was illegally walking on a dam. She lost her footing and fell into the water. Another teen jumped in to save her. The rushing water swept both of them away, until Master Sergeant Buentello involved himself and he dived in to rescue them both. Unfortunately, Buentello was swept up in the current and it cost him his life.
Pascual Gonzales with the San Antonio-area school district said Buentello was hired as an instructional assistant at John Jay High School in San Antonio in 2013. He resigned from the school on good terms last month.
Gonzales said Buentello was also a former student at John Jay.
In addition to Beyond being a decorated Marine and educator, Buentello was described as a family man.
No greater love….
The Dallas Morning News says that he had multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and two Purple Hearts.
Comments
25 responses to “Retired Marine Rodney Buentello saving the world”
Semper Fi, Top.
A true hero.
Damn. R.I.P. Marine. See you around.
Damn. RIP
Thanks to the recent floods in Texas, the Medina river was rendered a raging torrent. The lake is over 100% capacity. It was at 5% just last year. What some idiot was doing walking atop the dam there is beyond me. I hope that she had fun, dammit. BTW, the local news is reporting that he saved the girl and her would-be rescuer by pushing him free of the undertow. Unfortunately it was that undertow that took and would not release him.
The contrast is startling between Master Sergeant Rodney Buentello and the turds we see all too often: REAL valor versus stolen ‘valor’. The world would be a much better place with more of one and a hell of a lot less of the other. Rest in peace Marine.
“That others might live.”
Vaya con Dios, MSgt. Buentello. May God comfort your surviving friends and family.
Hondo, does the USMC/USN has an equivalent to the Soldier’s Medal, and can it be awarded posthumously? This is heroism right up with those guys on the train a few months ago. AND he sacrificed his own life.
Yes there is the Navy and Marine Corps Medal
As CBSenior noted, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal exists and is the Soldiers/Airmans Medal equivalent. Whether the DoN allows award to retirees under such circumstances, I don’t know.
Posthumously not sure because of retirement.
For those of faith, the will of God will never lead you to a place where the grace of God can not keep you.
Semper Fi my brother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0r8vVrEoLw
Thank you for posting this, Dave.
Semper Fidelis.
Rest in peace Master Sergeant. You gave your all and no one can ask for more. God be with your family now.
Rest in Peace. No greater love, indeed.
RIP in all you glorious valor Master SGT.
RIP Marine
Damn, RIP Bother.
Once a hero, always a hero. Service doesn’t end because the tour is over.
Well done Master Sergeant, damn well done. You will be greatly missed.
Prayers up, Marine.
Rest In Eternal Peace Marine
Fair winds and following seas, Master Sergeant.
“My time in uniform may be over, but my watch never ends”.
Well done, Top.
Semper Fidelis.
And in front of his family!
R.I.P and may God bless you and your family.
The embodiment of Semper Fidelis. Rest in peace, Marine, and God comfort your family.