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Photo courtesy Terry & Greg Rangel (nephews) 

SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular 
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male 
Born on Aug 20, 1949 
From FT WORTH, TEXAS 
His tour of duty began on Nov 20, 1968 
Casualty was on Apr 11, 1969 
in HUA NGHIA, SOUTH VIETNAM 
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY 
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS 
Body was recovered 
Religion 
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 27W - - Line 57

More information on April 11, 1969

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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

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 provided by Bruce Swander

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