World War II Honoree

Silvano G. Ybarra

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Harlington, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford

He left school to to work to support his family. He lost his parents at an early age and was sworn into the military at the age of 18. He was sworn into the United States Army on 12 February, 1945 at the military induction center at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. He received his basic training at Camp Fannin, Tyler, Texas. He received additional training at Fort Hood, for artillery training, to Camp Robinson for infantry and small arms training. He excelled in rifle, small arms and received marksman marks in all three. He was then transferred to Santa Anna Army Air Base, California and was assigned to Company A of the 50th Military Police Battalion and assigned to the Philippine islands for duty. He was on furlough when he found out that Germany had surrendered. He began his assignment as a guard for the Japanese Prisoners of War. At the time of the surrender of Japanese the Prisoners of war were transferred back to Japan. He was transferred back to the United States. On 12 October 1946 he was processed out of the Army but stayed in the reserves until being processed out with an Honorable Discharge. During his tour he received the following commendations: Philippine Independence Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations Ribbon, the WWII Victory Medal with 1 Overseas Bar, and the Rifle, Pistol and Machine gun Marksman Medal.