Gonzalo H. Villasenor
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

Gonzalo H. Villasenor was born on 20 August 1949 in Fort Worth, TX, the son of Felix S. and Ernestina Herrera Villasenor. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 20 June 1968 from Texas.

On 11 April 1969, Specialist Four Gonzalo H. Villasenor was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Villasenor was 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 warn his comrades. A fire fight erupted, and the hostile forces were routed. Wanting to maintain contact with the 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, SPC4 Villasenor began moving toward the emplacement. Although wounded in the leg by hostile fire, he continued crawling toward the bunker, alternately firing his rifle and tossing grenades. As he silenced his target he came under fire from another enemy fortification. Despite being wounded a 2nd time, he responded with rifle fire. While moving forward he received a fatal wound to the head. SPC4 Villasenor's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Gonzalo H. Villasenor (ASN: RA-15812734), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. 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 warn 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.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2024 (1969)

Honors

The name Gonzalo H Villasenor is located on Panel 27W Line 57 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=50412632