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Staff Sergeant · U.S. Marine Corps

Ambrosio Guillen

Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on July 25, 1953 in Songuch-on, Korea during the Korean War.

Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on July 25, 1953 in Songuch-on, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). Guillen was 23 years old.

Guillen was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on August 18, 1954 — the pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Navy Charles S. thomas to his Parents.

Guillen was born on December 7, 1929 in La Junta, Otero County, Colorado. His Medal of Honor is credited to El Paso, El Paso County, Texas. He is buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in Fort Bliss, Texas. His medal is held by Guillen Junior High School, El Paso, TX.

Guillen is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 78 credited to Texas.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a platoon sergeant of Company F in action against enemy aggressor forces. Participating in the defense of an outpost forward of the main line of resistance, S/Sgt. Guillen maneuvered his platoon over unfamiliar terrain in the face of hostile fire and placed his men in fighting positions. With his unit pinned down when the outpost was attacked under cover of darkness by an estimated force of two enemy battalions supported by mortar and artillery fire, he deliberately exposed himself to the heavy barrage and attacks to direct his men in defending their positions and personally supervise the treatment and evacuation of the wounded. Inspired by his leadership, the platoon quickly rallied and engaged the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Although critically wounded during the course of the battle, S/Sgt. Guillen refused medical aid and continued to direct his men throughout the remainder of the engagement until the enemy was defeated and thrown into disorderly retreat. Succumbing to his wounds within a few hours, S/Sgt. Guillen, by his outstanding courage and indomitable fighting spirit, was directly responsible for the success of his platoon in repelling a numerically superior enemy force. His personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

What the citation records about his wounds:

Although critically wounded during the course of the battle, S/Sgt. Guillen refused medical aid and continued to direct his men throughout the remainder of the engagement until the enemy was defeated and thrown into disorderly retreat.
  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (July 25, 1953).
  • Age at death: 23
  • Resting place: Fort Bliss National Cemetery

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Korean War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: La Junta — map
  • Died: Korea — map
  • Buried: Fort Bliss National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Texas →

Timeline

  1. December 7, 1929
    Born in La Junta, Otero County, Colorado
  2. July 25, 1953
    Act of valor — Songuch-on, Korea
    Age 23. Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) Killed in action.
  3. August 18, 1954
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
    The pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Navy Charles S. thomas to his Parents
  4. Resting place
    Fort Bliss National Cemetery
    Fort Bliss, Texas

Biography

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

From the Wikipedia article “Ambrosio Guillen”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Same unit

More Korean War recipients from Texas

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.