[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING STAFF SERGEANT YSMAEL R. VILLEGAS 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK TAKANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 2024

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant 
Ysmael R. Villegas, a distinguished American hero from California's 
39th Congressional District. Born in Casa Blanca in 1924, Villegas, the 
eldest of 13 children, exemplified the values of our diverse community.
  Formerly an ``orange picker,'' Villegas answered the call to serve 
during WWII, displaying extraordinary bravery at the Battle of Luzon. 
Tragically, on March 20, 1945, one day before his 21st birthday, he 
made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. President Truman 
posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor on October 19, 1945.
  Colonel G. B. Appleman presented the medal to his widow at Camp Haan 
on November 1, 1945, in our very own Riverside district. The ceremony 
drew thousands, a testament to the profound impact of Villegas's 
heroism on our community.
  As we commemorate what would have been his 100th birthday, let us 
remember Staff Sergeant Villegas's selflessness, dedication, and love 
for family. May his legacy inspire future generations, and the heroism 
of Staff Sergeant Villegas remains etched in the history and hearts of 
California's 39th Congressional District.

                          ____________________