March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Ysmael R. Villegas

Medal of Honor

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2023

1. Ysmael R. Villegas Marker

Inscription.
Staff Sergeant, Company F, 127th Infantry,
32d Infantry Division
United States Army
G.O. No.: 89, October 19, 1945

Citation:
Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, March 20, 1945

S/Sgt. Villegas 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. 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.

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Villegas, at the cost of his life, inspired his men to a determined attack in which they swept the enemy from the field.

Section 5 Site 1178

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 20, 1945.

Location. 33° 53.084′ N, 117° 16.502′ W. Marker is in March Air Reserve Base, California, in Riverside County. It is on Eisenhower Circle, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Eisenhower Circle, March Air Reserve Base CA 92518, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker 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: 3rd Infantry Division (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thirtieth Flight Order of Daedalians (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lewis L. Millett Sr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Henry Balch (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); National POW MIA Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Mitchell Paige (approx. half a mile away); War Dog Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in March Air Reserve Base.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2023

2. Ysmael R. Villegas Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.