17 Aug 2003
Gonzalo Villasenor was with his good friend Martin Lechuga on April 11, 1969. As their platoon moved forward, a firefight ensued. Chalo as our family called him, Poncho to his unit, pressed forward. As he and Martin were laying down fire, Chalo was wounded. Martin, as a result, went to his aid, what a hero! Martin placed himself in the field of fire, to help my uncle! I can't think of any words that will do justice to express how proud I am of these two men! They are my HEROES!
From Chalo Villasenor's nephew,
Gregory Rangel
4109 Cummings Dr. N Richland Hills, TX 76180
18 Feb 2004
I too am a Villasenor, but I do not know if we are related. For the past two years I have been wearing a KIA bracelet with the name Gonzalo H. Villasenor. I have always wondered exactly who this man was. Now that I do know how he died I am even prouder to be wearing his name on my wrist every day. I was just wondering if there was a way to thank the family members in his honor.
From one who wears his bracelet,
Jessica Villasenor
davy b
davybaker@suddenlink.net
Kilgore Tx.
remembrance
Honoring the memory of a patriot and hero.May God bless and keep you and hold you in His loving arms.Thank you for your service to our nation.Rest in peace Gonzalo H. Villasenor,YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!
Aug 20, 2009
Garnet Jenkins
garijen@bresnan.net
Grand Junction Co
~ In Remembrance of Your Sacrifice ~
In Humble Tribute of your Sacrifice, with So Much Gratitude , for your Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest in Peace SP4 Gonzalo H Villasenor and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of Sgt. David Dickinson, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam in 1967..... THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD, AS WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM, NOR THE YEARS CONDEM. AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. "For the Fallen" September 1914~ R.L. Binyon~
Apr 8, 2008
A Fellow Veteran
...........SP4 Gonzalo H. Villasenor.........Today is the day that you had made the supreme sacrifice. So many years ago, and so far from your home and loved ones. A fellow veteran wants to pay tribute to your honor, bravery, and commitment to duty. May you rest well in Gods loving embrace brave solider.You are a true American Hero. Today you are remembered by a grateful nation. Tomorow you shall not be forgotten.
Apr 11, 2007
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight, let him depart. But we in it, shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Apr 11, 2007
ANONYMOUS AND GRATEFUL
SO YOUNG! SO BRAVE! HOW CAN IT BE THAT SOMEONE SO YOUNG CAN GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR FREEDOM AND SO FEW ACKNOWLEDGE HIS SACRIFICE. SOME OF US CARE. THANK YOU SEEMS SO INADEQUATE BUT IT'S ALL I HAVE.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
gabriel villasenor
agvillasenor@yahoo.com
cmr 477,box 477
ap0,ae 0916
we still remember
You are not forgotten, and your name will be remembered in the ranks of the United States Army. Infantry, all the way Command Sergeant Major, Gabriel Villasenor
Sunday, December 12, 1999
gregory rangel
relative
4109 cummings dr
n richland hills, tx 76180
Hi, Chalo!
Hi, Chalo, I am your cousin Dolores' first son. Mom and your Aunt Reyes say hello! We love you and are so proud of you! We come to see you all of the time. I have been telling my sister Debbie about you as part of our family history. I tell her about the courage it took you to take out that bunker even though you were hit, but that you did it anyway! I am so proud to tell my children about our honest to God, hero! Thank you for serving so bravely and making us so proud of you! Gregory
Saturday, June 01, 2002
doug snyder
C2555D@aol.com
FELLOW SOLDIER 25TH INF.
2555 MIDDLE WAY
EASTON, PA 18040 USA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, HERO. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE, DOUG, CO.A 222ND MECH. INF., 25TH INF. DIV. 1968
Friday, August 20, 2004
Denis McDonough
Denis1146@aol.com
Fellow Bobcat
I just wanted you to know, you are not forgotten. You are loved and missed. My prayers to you, and your family. The photo was courtesy of Terry and Greg (Nephews)
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Denis McDonough
Denis1146@aol.com
Fellow Bobcat
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam APO San Francisco 96375 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 2004 9 June 1969 AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. VILLASENOR, GONZALO, RA 1582734 SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, APO 96225 Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross Date of Action: 11 April 1969 Theater: Republic of Viet Nam Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Villasenor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 April 1969 while serving as a rifleman with a platoon operating in Hau Nghia Province. His platoon was carrying out an intelligence mission when the lead man detected an enemy ambush in time to warm his comrades. A fire fight erupted, and the hostile forces were routed. Wishing to maintain contact with the fleeing enemy, the platoon pressed forward. On entering a wooded area, the friendly element came under an enfilade from automatic weapons, rifle grenades and mortars. Identifying a source of enemy fire to the left flank, Specialist Villasenor began moving toward the emplacement. Although he was struck in the leg by hostile fire, he continued advancing, crawling toward the bunker, alternately firing his rifle and tossing grenades. Just as he succeeded in silencing his target, he came under intense fire from another enemy fortification. Despite being wounded a second time, he bravely retaliated with a hail of rifle fire. Continuing forward he received a fatal wound to the head ending his brave advance. Specialist Four Villasenor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963. Document courtesy of Bruce Swander
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Jeff Galle
Family friend
Thank you for serving when so many others would not. You are not forgotten, nor will you ever be. Jeff Galle Cpl. USMC
Saturday, September 07, 2002
Bill Cooley
stayinalive02@yahoo.com
1st PltLdr, C/1(M)/5 INF, 25TH INF
Arlington, VA To A Fallen "Bobcat"
I was Platoon Leader of 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Bn (Mech)/5th Inf, 25th Division during April and May of 1969. SP4 Gonzalo Villasenor was a member of the CRIP Platoon of 1(M)/5 Inf. I did not know "Chalo" at the time, but have to come to know him through his nephew, Gregory Rangel, a man of whom his uncle would be quite proud. Specialist Villasenor's bravery was unquestioned, and he was highly regarded and well-liked by the members of his platoon. He is missed, and remembered.
Saturday, November 09, 2002
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THIS MOST HEROIC UNITED STATES ARMY SERVICEMAN, A POSTHUMOUS RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE
SPECIALIST 4
GONZALO H. VILLASENOR
who served with
HEADQUARTERS & HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
1st BATTALION
5th INFANTRY REGIMENT ( MECHANIZED )
25th INFANTRY DIVISION
" TROPIC LIGHTNING "
was a posthumous recipient of the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
PURPLE HEART
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL
and was entitled to wear the
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL
AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE
20 JULY 1999
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also the REMEMBRANCE for
CORPORAL
MARTIN LECHUGA
a posthumous recipient of the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
who was lost along with
SPECIALIST 4
GONZOLO H. VILLASENOR
in this same action
Posted by: CLAY MARSTON
Email: CMARSTON@INTERLOG.COM
Relationship: BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHER - DSC
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Chalo
Chalo was my Mom, Dolores, cousin. We are very proud of him, and all the other men and women who served in Vietnam. The family called him Chalo, he was named Gonzalo after his grandfather. He was with Martin Lechuga on April 11, 1969, when they got into a firefight. They took out a bunker that was trying to harm other members of their platoon. They are the best! I hope I could be that brave, when it counted, like they were
Posted by: Gregory Rangel
Relationship: Nephew
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Thank you Soldier
Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Gonzalo H. Villasenor, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!
Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!
Again, job well done Soldier!
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND
Posted by: Donald Lytle
Relationship: Radioman, USN, Ret.
Friday, April 11, 2003
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
SPECIALIST 4
GONZALO H VILLASENOR
was posthumously awarded the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Posted by: CLAY MARSTON
Email: cmarston@interlog.com
Relationship: BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHER-DSC
Sunday, August 1, 1999 |
