Early Life
Family
The remains of Pedro's family housePFC Pedro Rodón’s early life and family experiences were a puzzle. Information about his birth origins is limited since a birth certificate was never found. Military records stated that he was born in 1921, but does not indicate where. His parents named Enrique Rodón and Aurelia Pérez bore three children Julio Rodón, Juana Rodón, and Pedro Rodón. Pedro’s sister was born in 1916 in El Bonito, Dominican Republic. His siblings resided in #23 Benito González Street, Santo Domingo. In his late teenager years, Pedro left his family and moved to the United States, but the reason is unknown. He was probably in search of better opportunities. New York was his destination, and it was there where he enlisted in the military to participate in World War II.
Pedro’s family experienced a series of devastating events. A few months after Pedro’s death on September 29, 1945, his brother Julio passed away (the cause remains unknown). This passing took place on January 8, 1946 in Ravelo St. at three o’ clock in the morning. Prior to the brothers’ deaths, both their mother and father had passed away. This ultimately left Juana Rodón in utter solitude, meaning she was the only survivor of the Rodón Pérez family at the time. Whether she remains alive or not today is yet another mystery. Nevertheless, it is evident that Pedro Rodón descends from an extremely unique background.
Pedro’s family experienced a series of devastating events. A few months after Pedro’s death on September 29, 1945, his brother Julio passed away (the cause remains unknown). This passing took place on January 8, 1946 in Ravelo St. at three o’ clock in the morning. Prior to the brothers’ deaths, both their mother and father had passed away. This ultimately left Juana Rodón in utter solitude, meaning she was the only survivor of the Rodón Pérez family at the time. Whether she remains alive or not today is yet another mystery. Nevertheless, it is evident that Pedro Rodón descends from an extremely unique background.
New York
New Yorker HotelDuring his adolescent years, Pedro Rodón migrated to New York. Although his reasons seem to be unknown, it can be said that he left his family, like many other immigrants, in search of a better future in the United States. Pedro arrived in New York as part of the immigration waves of the early 20th century. During his residence in the state of New York, Pedro made a living as a cook in the New Yorker Hotel. It was later on that he aided in the war effort by enlisting in the militia in April 9th, 1943. Once he enlisted, Pedro became a member of the 279th Company of the 505th Port Battalion.