Remembering a Hero from a “Forgotten War”

A Letter from the Chairwoman Buckingham

Dear Veteran,

In July, we celebrated a major milestone for our country: America’s 250th Anniversary of Independence. A critical part of this celebration was giving thanks to the men and women who have defended our nation and the freedom we cherish. While every American is familiar with the fireworks and BBQs of the 4th of July, many people are unaware of the day in July dedicated to recognizing the service and sacrifices of Korean War Veterans: National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July 27th. This remembrance marks the anniversary of the 1953 armistice agreement signed by the United States, North Korea, and the People’s Republic of China, which ended the short but violent conflict.

Often called the “Forgotten War,” the Korean War was fought between World War II and the Vietnam War and ended with the Korean Peninsula divided at the 38th parallel, where a demilitarized zone remains to this day. Here in Texas, we strive to ensure that no Veteran is ever left behind or forgotten. It is an honor to uplift the Veterans of the Korean War and to honor their bravery and the sacrifices they made to uphold democracy and aid a people they had never met in an unfamiliar land thousands of miles from home.

More than 289,000 Texans served during the Korean War, and of them, 1,723 were either killed in action or missing in action. One of these brave souls was Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen. Born in La Junta, Colorado, Guillen was raised in El Paso, Texas, and attended Bowie High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 18, rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and served with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division.

In the dark of night on July 25, 1953, near Songuch, Korea, Guillen and his platoon were defending an outpost forward of the resistance’s main line. Despite the impenetrable darkness, lit only by hostile fire, and the unfamiliar terrain, he managed to organize the platoon into fighting positions. An enemy force of two battalions pinned them down, but this did not deter Guillen. He endured heavy mortar and artillery fire to continue directing his men and ensuring the wounded were evacuated. When he was critically wounded, he refused medical treatment and continued directing his men until the enemy was defeated.

He would die of his wounds hours after the battle, but his legacy of selfless sacrifice lives on in his Medal of Honor, awarded by Dwight D. Eisenhower for his heroic leadership. The Texas Veterans Land Board’s (VLB) Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in El Paso, Texas, where he grew up, is named in honor of his life, given in the name of freedom as the ultimate sacrifice.

Whether through our long-term care homes, land and home loans, or by helping Veterans access the benefits they have earned, the VLB works every day to ensure no Veteran is left behind or forgotten. Texas Veterans who served in any conflict, from WWII to the War on Terror, can find support and information at the Texas Veterans Call Center by calling 1–800–252–8387 or emailing VLBinfo@glo.texas.gov.

I encourage all Texans to learn more about our courageous Veterans of the Korean War and how their service helped shape democracy across the globe.