Ambrosio Guillen
Encyclopedia
Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen (December 7, 1929–July 25, 1953) was a United States Marine who was posthumously award the Medal of Honor
— the United States
' highest military honor — for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during the Korean War
, two days before the cease fire. He was responsible for turning an overwhelming enemy attack into a disorderly retreat.
. He came from a Mexican American
family and grew up in El Paso, Texas
. Guillen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
at the age of 18. He completed recruit training
at San Diego, California, and was assigned to the 6th Marines. Later he was chosen for Sea School, and after graduation, served after on the USS Curtiss. Following his tour of sea duty, he was appointed a drill instructor
at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.
As a drill instructor, he trained two honor platoons and was given a Letter of Appreciation by his Commanding General. In that letter, MajGen John T. Walker observed that "your success in training these two platoons has demonstrated your outstanding ability as a leader."
That ability was proved in combat soon after SSgt Guillen arrived in Korea
. On July 25, 1953, while defending a forward outpost, near Songuch-on, against hostile fire, he and his platoon were able to put the enemy in retreat. During the fighting, Guillen was mortally wounded. For his heroic leadership and sacrifice of life, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
After the truce, his body was escorted to the United States by his brother, who had been serving in the Far East with the Army. SSgt Guillen was buried in Texas on October 20, 1953, at Fort Bliss National Cemetery
.
His Medal or Honor was presented to his parents by the Secretary of the Navy Charles S. Thomas at ceremonies in his office on August 18, 1954.
The Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in El Paso is named in his honor, as is Guillen Middle School in the El Paso Independent School District
.
in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
STAFF SERGEANT AMBROSIO GUILLEN
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
— the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' highest military honor — for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, two days before the cease fire. He was responsible for turning an overwhelming enemy attack into a disorderly retreat.
Biography
Ambrosio Guillen was born on December 7, 1929 in La Junta, ColoradoLa Junta, Colorado
The City of La Junta is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Otero County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 7,568 at the U.S. Census 2000. La Junta is located on the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado east of Pueblo.-History:During...
. He came from a Mexican American
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
family and grew up in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. Guillen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
at the age of 18. He completed recruit training
Recruit training
Recruit training, more commonly known as Basic Training and colloquially called Boot Camp, is the initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel, enlisted and officer...
at San Diego, California, and was assigned to the 6th Marines. Later he was chosen for Sea School, and after graduation, served after on the USS Curtiss. Following his tour of sea duty, he was appointed a drill instructor
Drill instructor
A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer or Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in the armed forces or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. In the U.S. armed forces, they are assigned the duty of indoctrinating new recruits entering the military into the customs and...
at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.
As a drill instructor, he trained two honor platoons and was given a Letter of Appreciation by his Commanding General. In that letter, MajGen John T. Walker observed that "your success in training these two platoons has demonstrated your outstanding ability as a leader."
That ability was proved in combat soon after SSgt Guillen arrived in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. On July 25, 1953, while defending a forward outpost, near Songuch-on, against hostile fire, he and his platoon were able to put the enemy in retreat. During the fighting, Guillen was mortally wounded. For his heroic leadership and sacrifice of life, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
After the truce, his body was escorted to the United States by his brother, who had been serving in the Far East with the Army. SSgt Guillen was buried in Texas on October 20, 1953, at Fort Bliss National Cemetery
Fort Bliss National Cemetery
Fort Bliss National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the United States Army post of Fort Bliss, in El Paso County, Texas. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 42,141 interments.-History:...
.
His Medal or Honor was presented to his parents by the Secretary of the Navy Charles S. Thomas at ceremonies in his office on August 18, 1954.
The Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in El Paso is named in his honor, as is Guillen Middle School in the El Paso Independent School District
El Paso Independent School District
The El Paso Independent School District is one of several public school districts serving El Paso, Texas . Originally organized in 1883, it is currently the largest district in the Texas Education Agency's Educational Service Center Region 19, as well as the largest district within the city of...
.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United StatesPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
STAFF SERGEANT AMBROSIO GUILLEN
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a platoon Sergeant of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on July 25, 1953. Participating in the defense of an outpost forward of the main line of resistance, Staff Sergeant Guillen maneuvered his platoon over unfamiliar terrain in the face of hostile fire and placed his men in fighting positions. With his unit pinned down when the outpost was attacked under cover of darkness by an estimated force of two enemy battalions supported by mortar and artillery fire, he deliberately exposed himself to the heavy barrage and attacks to direct his men in defending their positions and personally supervise the treatment and evacuation of the wounded. Inspired by his leadership, the platoon quickly rallied and engaged the enemy force in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Although critically wounded during the course of the battle, Staff Sergeant Guillen refused medical aid and continued to direct his men throughout the remainder of the engagement until the enemy was defeated and thrown into disorderly retreat. Succumbing to his wounds within a few hours, Staff Sergeant Guillen, by his outstanding courage and indomitable fighting spirit, was directly responsible for the success of his platoon in repelling a numerically superior enemy force. His personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
- Hispanics in the United States Marine CorpsHispanics in the United States Marine CorpsHispanics in the United States Marine Corps, such as Private France Silva who during the Boxer Rebellion became the first Marine of the thirteen Marines of Hispanic descent to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and Private First Class Guy Gabaldon who is credited with capturing over 1,000 enemy...