Arthur Garcia Villalobos

The database page for Arthur Garcia Villalobos

12 Mar 2001 To my friend and High School chum. I saw your name on the Wall on Wednesday March 7, 2001. It was the first time that I saw the Wall. I will remember you always and as the years go by. I will never forget your sacrifice. A memorial initiated by a friend, Alfred A. Dotson alnjet@bellsouth.net

28 Sep 2002 To my brother You were taken far too soon, my brother. I was too young to understand where you went off to and the horrors you would see. Your death has left a void in my life. I wish it could have been a awful mistake, that one day you would come home. I am so proud of you and I will never forget your SACRIFICE. WITH ALL MY LOVE YOUR BROTHER VICTOR villalobosv@aol.com

12 Nov 2003 Semper Fi, my friend. May you rest in peace. Your sacrifice is not forgotten by the people who served with you. "Doc" www.ringinmtpl@msn.com

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR MEDAL To PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ARTHUR G. VILLALOBOS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION ON 15 MAY 1969 GIVEN THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST 1969 SECRETARY OF THE NAVY CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 May 1969, while Private First Class Villalobos' platoon was moving to assist another unit which was heavily engaged with an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion, the Marines came under a heavy volume of automatic rifle and antitank rocket fire from a hostile force occupying a fortified bunker complex well-concealed in a tree line. During the initial moments of the fierce engagement, numerous Marines were seriously wounded and the platoon became pinned down. Realizing the need for immediate action, Private First Class Villalobos, although wounded himself, fearlessly crawled across twenty meters of unprotected, fire-swept terrain toward the enemy complex and when he was in proximity to the bunkers, threw hand grenades with devastating accuracy through their apertures, thereby enabling other Marines to treat and evacuate the casualties and engage other elements of the enemy force. Resolutely remaining in his dangerously exposed position after depleting his supply of grenades, he then continued to deliver rapid suppressive fire upon the hostile soldiers until he was mortally wounded. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of numerous Marines. By his courage, selfless concern for his fellowmen and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Villalobos contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. FOR THE PRESIDENT H. W. BUSE, JR. LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC Citation courtesy of his brother, Victor Villalobos

04 Sep 2007 I served with Arthur in Vietnam and was amazed at his bravery. The day he died was not the first time he put himself on the line. Several times after a fire fight we would be taking count of everyone and he was missing - and would be found at the point where the fire was coming from. He was very a funny guy as well and broke the fear with his funny actions. From a fellow Marine, Fredrick Lose rick@telecomtexas.com

26 Sep 2007 Sergeant Bruce Olson and I served with Villalobos in 2nd platoon Echo in the Spring of 1969. We were sent to the fight and encountered a clusterf**k. The Marines comported themselves well. I was one of the wounded who was on the medevac that was sent out that first dusk. A mess for all of us. 1/Lt William Kirkpatrick, USMC (Ret) wkirkpat@aol.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 15 May 1969, Golf 2/5 Marines engaged a North Vietnamese Army battalion and found themselves in deep trouble. Echo Company was directed to assist Golf Company. By the time the fighting ended, the two companies had lost 13 men killed in action: E Company, 2/5 Marines Pfc Juan L. Contreras, Edinburg, TX Pfc Daniel Gauna, Corpus Christi, TX Pfc Norris A. Phillips, Houston, TX Pfc Arthur G. Villalobos, Compton, CA (Silver Star) Pfc Larry Warren, Chester, PA G Company, 2/5 Marines SSgt Gary L. Gillard, Wenatchee, WA LCpl Emmett R. Brown, North Hills, PA LCpl William H. Shultz, Columbia, PA LCpl Authran W. Winfrey, Fall Creek, OR Pfc George P. Perkins, Shakopee, MN Pfc Harry D. Sarakov, Chico, CA Pfc John L. Schultz, Birch Run, MI H&S Company, 2/5 Marines HM3 David J. Bredesen, Whitelaw, WI The Virtual Wall does not know if Petty Officer Bredesen was with Echo or Golf Company.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 12 Mar 2001
Last updated 08/10/2009