STAFF SERGEANT
AMBROSIO GUILLEN, USMC (DECEASED)
 

Medal of Honor Citation

Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen, a young Texas Marine whose personal heroism only two days before the cease-fire in Korea and was responsible for turning an overwhelming enemy attack into a disorderly retreat, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His Medal or Honor was presented to his parents by the Secretary of the Navy Charles S. Thomas at ceremonies in his office, 18 August 1954.

Staff Sergeant Guillen was cited for his heroic leadership of a platoon of Marines on 25 July 1953, near Songuch-on, Korea.

Ambrosio Guillen was born 7 December 1929, in La Junta, Colorado, and grew up in El Paso, Texas. Enlisting in the Marine Corps at the age of 18, he completed recruit training at San Diego, California, and was assigned to the 6th Marines. Later he was chosen for Sea School, and served after graduation on the USS Curtis. Following his tour of sea duty, he was appointed a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.

As a drill instructor, he trained two honor platoons and was given a Letter of Appreciation by his Commanding General. In that letter, MajGen John T. Walker observed that "your success in training these two platoons has demonstrated your outstanding ability as a leader."

That ability was proved in combat soon after SSgt Guillen arrived in Korea.

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

Korean War 1950-1953 Medal of Honor