September 8, 2006 was for Roberto Villegas (pronounced
"VA Gus") a monumental day. He celebrated his 80th birthday and
received his long overdue medals from his service during World War 11,
all on the same day. His family came from all over the United States to
help him celebrate and to honor his accomplishments.
The 80-year-old veteran was very touched by the
attention. "I saw a lot of stuff that I wouldn't want written about," he
said. "We were supposed to forget about it."
But he never did.
After his discharge from the U. S. Army in 1946 (he was
discharged as a corporal after serving with the 728th Amphibious Tank
Battalion), Villegas returned to his native Texas to start a family with
his wife, Dominga.
The couple moved to Nebraska, then relocated to the west
side of Indianapolis where they resided for the next 50 years.
The couple had six children, three boys and three girls.
"We had no idea that our father was from the greatest
generation," his son, Roberto Villegas Jr., said in a statement. "We
just knew him as Dad, the coach who took the time to teach his sons and
the neighborhood boys how to play baseball to keep us off the streets."
Villegas never thought about claiming the medals due to
him until he returned to Texas after his retirement in 1990.
"There's a lot of us (Mexican-American veterans) in South
Texas, California and Arizona," said Villegas, who spends winters in
Texas. "I saw a lot of older men on Veteran's Day with their medals and
wondered, 'What about mine?...
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From left, Roberto Villegas Jr., Rick Villegas,
John Villegas, Robert Villegas Sr., and IDVA Director Tom
Applegate who was the master of ceremonies. |
Obtaining the medals took about 2 1/2 years, a process
that required him to submit proof of his service and other
documentation. He got help from a local VFW post in Indianapolis.
He considers himself lucky. While fighting in the
Philippines and Okinawa, he had grenades thrown at him and was shot at
by a sniper but was never wounded.
Villegas finds it ironic that his generation fought the
war so that its children wouldn't have to fight in wars. His sons Robert
Jr., 57; Rick, 56; and John, 55, all served in the military.
"We're still fighting," said Villegas. "Most of the World
War II vets are gone. I'm just glad I could get my medals."
It's also a matter of Mexican-American pride.
"It proves to my nationality that we have done something
to help the U. S. do their part to bring freedom."
IDVA Director Tom Applegate presented Villegas with the
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze battle stars, the Good
Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Honorable Service
Lapel Pin and a Sharpshooter Badge with a rifle bar. |
