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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, United States Army
Vietnam
APO San Francisco 96375
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER
2004 |
9 June 1969
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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
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| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date of Action: |
11 April 1969 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Viet Nam |
| Reason: |
For extraordinary heroism in connection with
military operations |
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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 |
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Congress, approved 25 July 1963. |
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Gonzalo H.Villasenor 
