World War II Honoree

Valentin M. Aguilar

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Diana Mendoza

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED IN COMPANY F, 339TH REGIMENT, 85TH INFANTRY DIVISION. BEGAN FRONT LINE COMBAT, ASSAULTING THE GERMAN HELD MOUNTAINOUS GOTHIC LINE IN JULY 1944. IN HIS FINAL FIGHT IN ITALY, WAS WOUNDED IN OCTOBER 1944, WHEN SHRAPNEL ENTERED HIS LEFT LUNG. WAS TAKEN OFF THE FRONT LINE AND AFTER HE RECOVERED, HE GUARDED GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR. FOR HIS HEROIC EFFORTS, HE WAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR AMONG OTHER MEDALS, WHICH INCLUDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PURPLE HEART, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, VICTORY MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND NATIONAL DEFENSE MEDAL.