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Yannel/Ysmael R. Villegas
Early Years and Drafting
Ysmael R. Villegas was born on March 21st, 1924 in Casa Blanca, California.[1] He was the eldest son amongst twelve siblings, which consisted of six brothers and six sisters.[2] Villegas was drafted in the year of 1944.[3]War Record
He served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army within Company F, 127th Infantry, 32nd Infantry division. He was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for the heroism and leadership he displayed on the battlefield on March 20th, 1945. Villegas is credited with charging and firing at enemy forces through a constant hail of bullets and exploding grenades. He was able to subdue five enemy soldiers positioned within foxholes before being hit by enemy fire. The battle, where in which Villegas sacrificed his life, occurred on Villa Verde Trail on the Philippine Island of Luzon.[4] His Medal of Honor was accepted by his wife and son on October 19th, 1945.
Post War Remembrance
Years later, in 1978, Villegas was the first soldier to be laid to rest in Riverside National Cemetery.[5] He was commemorated for his valor by his hometown in 1952 with a park and in 1972 with a community center. The City of Riverside has also honored Villegas with a statue located by Riverside City Hall in 1995 and a middle school was also dedicated to him in 2002.[6]
Footnotes
[1] Alicia Robinson, “Riverside: War Hero Villegas Inspires Pride, 70 Years Later,” The Press-Enterprise, March 13, 2014, https://www.pe.com/2014/03/13/riverside-war-hero-villegas-inspires-pride-70-years-later/.
[2] Susan Staight, “Green Hornet, Canteen, Fox Hole: The Smiley Villegas Story,” KCET, April 24, 2014, https://www.kcet.org/socal-focus/green-hornet-canteen-foxhole-the-smiley-villegas-story.
[3] Robinson, “Riverside.”
[4] “Villegas, Ysmael R.,” Congressional Medal of Honor Society, accessed November 5th, 2018, http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3039/villegas-ysmael-r.php.
[5] Frances J. Vasquez, “Ysmael R. Villegas: A Legacy of Courage and Valor,” El Chicano Weekly (San Bernardino, CA), March 26, 2015, sec. A4. ProQuest Historical Newspapers (1687154345).
[6] Robinson, “Riverside.”
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