World War II Honoree

Valentin Aguilar

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMED FORCES ON DECEMBER 3, 1941 JUST PRIOR TO THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR. HE RECEIVED BASIC TRAINING AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. HE TRAINED FOR OVER ONE YEAR WITH THE 84TH DIVISION. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY F, 339TH REGIMENT, 85TH DIVISION FOR OVERSEAS DUTY. HE LANDED IN ITALY AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL 85TH DIVISION AS THEY HAD BEEN CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS. ON OCTOBER 4, 1944 HE FOUGHT ON THE GOTHIC LINE WHICH WAS ONE OF THE BIG BATTLES DURING THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. IT BEGAN ON JULY 30, 1944 AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO THE TERRAIN. HE WAS WOUNDED IN THIS BATTLE WHEN SHRAPNEL ENTERED HIS LEFT LUNG. HE WAS TAKEN OUT OF COMBAT DUE TO HIS INJURY. DUE TO HIS WOUND HE WAS GIVEN THE ASSIGNMENT OF GUARDING THE GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR. HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY ON MAY 14, 1946 AT FORT SAM HOUSTON. DURING HIS TOUR HE RECEIVED MANY MEDALS INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, BRONZE STAR MEDAL AND AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL.