Ambrosio Guillen

Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen (December 7, 1929 – July 25, 1953) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor&mdash;the United States' highest military award for valor&mdash;for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life on July 25, 1953, two days before the ceasefire, during the Korean War. Guillen was responsible for his infantry platoon's turning an overwhelming enemy attack into a defeat and disorderly retreat.

Early years
Ambrosio Guillen was born on December 7, 1929, in La Junta, Colorado. He came from a Mexican-American family and grew up in El Paso, Texas, where Guillen attended Bowie High School.

Military service
Guillen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18. He completed recruit training at San Diego, California, and was assigned to the 7th Marine Regiment. Later, Guillen was chosen for Sea School, and after graduation, served on the USS Curtiss (AV-4). Following his tour of sea duty, Guillen was appointed a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.

Guillen trained two recruit honor platoons and was given a Letter of Appreciation by his Commanding General. In that letter, MajGen John T. Walker stated, "your success in training these two platoons has demonstrated your outstanding ability as a leader." That ability was proven in combat soon after SSgt. Guillen arrived in Korea.

On July 25, 1953, while defending a forward outpost against a large enemy attack, near Songuch-on, Korea, SSgt. Guillen and his platoon were able to defeat the enemy and put them in retreat. After the fighting, Guillen died from being wounded during the battle. For his heroic leadership and sacrifice of life, Guillen was awarded the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor awarded to SSgt. Guillen was presented to his parents on his behalf by the Secretary of the Navy Charles S. Thomas, during a special ceremony in his office on August 18, 1954.

Medal of Honor
SSgt. Guillen's Medal of Honor citation reads:

Burial
After the Korean War truce, Guillen's body was escorted to the United States by his brother, who had been serving in the Far East with the United States Army. SSgt. Guillen was buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery on October 20, 1953, in El Paso, Texas.

Public namings

 * The Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in El Paso is named in his honor.
 * Guillen Middle School in the El Paso Independent School District.