Downtown Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas

Never Forgotten • Forever Honored

— A Symbol For All Veterans —

Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 14, 2023

1. Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas Marker

Inscription.

Never Forgotten • Forever Honored • A Symbol For All Veterans

Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas
March 21, 1924 - March 20, 1945

Medal of Honor
G.O. No. 89: October 19, 1945
Squad Leader, Company F. 127th Infantry, 32nd "Red Arrow" Division
Villa Verde Trail, Luzon Philippine Islands. March 20, 1945

The story of SSgt. Ysmael R. Villegas symbolizes the sacrifices and bravery of all the men and women who have served this country in its armed forces

Ysmael R. "Smiley" Villegos was born and raised in Riverside. He saw combat in the Philippines as a squad leader in the United States Army. On March 20, 1945, one day before his 21st birthday, SSgt. Villegas repeatedly charged enemy positions, drawing their fire away from his, squad. He was killed but his squad was saved. As the result of his heroic sacrifice, SSgt. Ysmael Villegas became Riverside County's first recipient: of the Medal of Honor, this country's highest award for bravery.

Erected 1995.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is March 21, 1924.

Location. 33° 58.805′ N, 117° 22.529′ W.

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Memorial is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Downtown Riverside. It can be reached from 6th Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 3112 6th St, Riverside CA 92501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Riverside Military Wall of Honor (a few steps from this marker); Riverside History Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverside City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverside County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Riverside County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Lerner Building (about 300 feet away); John G. Gabbert

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 14, 2023

2. Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas Marker

(about 500 feet away); White Park Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Also see . . .
1. [Video] Riverside's Civil Rights Walk (2021). [2:10] starts the segment on Staff Sergeat Ysmael - presented by Master Sgt. Juan Marquez of 163D Attack Wing - March Airforce Base
(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

2. Stories of Sacrifice - Ysmael Reyes Villegas.

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 machine-gun 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.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 14, 2023

3. Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas Marker
He rushed a second foxhole while bullets missed him by inches and killed one 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.

(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 863 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.