PERSONALIA
 
Name:  Villegas, Ysmael R.
Date of birth: Unknown (Casa Blanca/California, United States)
Date of death:  March 20th, 1945 (Villa Verde/Luzon, Philippines)
Buried on:  Riverside National Cemetery
Plot: 5.  Grave: 1178.
Nationality:  American
     
MEDAL OF HONOR - ARMY (MOH)
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Unit: Company F, 127th. Infantry, 32rd. Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Awarded on: October 19th, 1945
Action: Citation:
"He was a squad leader when his unit, in a forward position, clashed with an enemy strongly entrenched in connected caves and foxholes on commanding ground. He moved boldly from man to man, in the face of bursting grenades and demolition charges, through heavy machinegun and rifle fire, to bolster the spirit of his comrades. Inspired by his gallantry, his men pressed forward to the crest of the hill. Numerous enemy riflemen, refusing to flee, continued firing from their foxholes. S/Sgt. Villegas, with complete disregard for his own safety and the bullets which kicked up the dirt at his feet, charged an enemy position, and, firing at point-blank range killed the Japanese in a foxhole. He rushed a second foxhole while bullets missed him by inches, and killed 1 more of the enemy. In rapid succession he charged a third, a fourth, a fifth foxhole, each time destroying the enemy within. The fire against him increased in intensity, but he pressed onward to attack a sixth position. As he neared his goal, he was hit and killed by enemy fire. Through his heroism and indomitable fighting spirit, S/Sgt. Villegas, at the cost of his life, inspired his men to a determined attack in which they swept the enemy from the field."
Details: General Order No.: 89, 19 October 1945.
Awarded posthumously.
Place and date action: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 20 March 1945.
 
     
SILVER STAR
 
     
PURPLE HEART
 
     
AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
 
     
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL
 
     
WORLD WAR TWO VICTORY MEDAL
 
     
PHILIPPINES LIBERATION MEDAL
 
 
 
  Provide alterations or additional information
Picture source:   - Bill Gonyo
Information source(s):   - JORDAN, K. N., SR., Yesterday's Heroes, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, United States, 1996.
- Find a Grave
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