Texas Border Business
GUILLEN, AMBROSIO (unknown–1953). Ambrosio Guillen, Medal of Honor recipient, was born at La Junta, Colorado, and entered military service at El Paso, Texas. Staff Sergeant Guillen was a member of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division near Songuch-on, Korea, on July 25, 1953, when he and his platoon were participating in the defense of an outpost forward of the main line of resistance. At night over unfamiliar terrain and in the face of hostile fire, he maneuvered the platoon into fighting positions. When pinned down by an estimated enemy force of two battalions, he exposed himself to heavy mortar and artillery fire to direct his men and supervise the care and evacuation of the wounded. He was critically wounded during the battle but refused medical treatment and continued to direct his men until the enemy was defeated. He succumbed to his wounds a few hours later. His outstanding valor was directly responsible for his platoon’s repelling a numerically superior enemy force. Guillen is buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery at El Paso, Texas.
Biography by Art Leatherwood, Handbook of Texas Online
Published by the Texas State Historical Association
