Captain Rhoads was the pilot of a RF-80A Lockeed Shooting Star photo reconnaissance aircraft with the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. On 27 July 1953, while on a combat mission near Taejon Airfield (K-5), South Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames destroying the tail section and crashed. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Captain Rhoads was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster the Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.