Ambrosio Guillen

Ambrosio Guillen featured in the 1999 Bowie High School Homecoming Booklet. The photo shows him being awarded with the Congressional Metal of Honor, cited for heroic leadership during the Korean War. AMBROSIO GUILLEN (1929 ~ 1953). Medal of Honor Recipient Ambrosio Guillen was born on December 7, 1929, in La Junta, Colorado and grew up in El Paso, Texas. He joined the Marine Corps in 1947 and trained at San Diego, California. After assignment to the Sixth Marines, Guillen was chosen for Sea School and upon graduation served on the USS Curtis. At the end of his tour of sea duty, Guillen became a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. While a drill instructor, Guillen trained two honor platoons and was given a Letter of Appreciation by Major General John T. Walker for his leadership. Guillen was sent to Korea as a Staff Sergeant with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. On the night of July 25, 1953, near Songuchon, Korea, Guillen's platoon was defending an outpost beyond the main Allied lines. Despite enemy fire, Guillen led his platoon over unfamiliar terrain and positioned it to repel an enemy advance. They were then pinned down by enemy forces estimated to be two battalions with heavy mortar and artillery fire. Despite enemy fire, Guillen directed the defenses, and oversaw the evacuation of the wounded. This action rallied his men, who attacked the enemy and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Guillen was wounded in the course of fighting but refused medical treatment and continued to lead his platoon. He died of his wounds within a few hours. Guillen's courage and leadership during the battle resulted in the victory of his platoon over a numerically superior enemy force. For his actions, Guillen was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp?pers_id=11260

Area: Central / Chamizal

Source: Tony (Azul) Alvarado JR.

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History