World War II Honoree

Gustavo M. Guevara

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

He was working on a farm when he was drafted into the military. He was sworn into the United States Army at the induction center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio on 30 November 1942 at the age of 23. He received his basic training at Camp Fannin in East Texas. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 540th Amphibian Tank to be used in the invasion of the Philippine Islands. He was assigned to the Service Battery, 426th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. He received additional infantry training in California before being shipped out on 26 October 1944 and arriving in the Philippine Islands on 4 November 1944. After participating in the invasion of the Island of Leyte he was preparing for the invasion of Okinawa. While in training, the two bombs were dropped on the Japanese mainland and Japan surrendered. He was shipped back to the United States at San Francisco then to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas where he was released with an Honorable Discharge. During Sergeant's tour he received the following accommodations: The American Theater Campaign Ribbon, The Philippine Liberation Ribbon, The WWII Victory Medal, The Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations Ribbon, The Good Conduct Medal and the Marksman Rifle Medal. He was proud to have come to the aid of his country in its time of need.