Private First Class Alubo Valadez, 38156160, U.S.

Army May 8, 1918 Killed in Action March 28, 1945 Oberlahnstein, Germany

Alubo Valadez was born in San Jose, Duval County, Texas. His parents were Guadalupe (1880-1949) and Elia Lopez (1884-1952) Valadez. The 1920 Federal Census shows siblings: Jesus M., and Guadalupe, Jr. The 1940 Census showed siblings: Elia, Esperanza and daughter in law Julia S. Valadez living in the Guadalupe Valadez household. The World War II Enlistment Records, 1938-1942 (Ancestry.com) shows that Alubo was drafted into the U. S. Army on 3 April 1942. The Enlistment City was entered as Ft Sam Houston (San Antonio, TX). He was assigned the rank of Private, Education: 2 years of high school; Civil Occupation: Farm hands, general farms; Marital Status: Married; Height 69 (59); Weight: 154. http://www.wartimepress.com/archives.asp?TID=053%2087th%20Infa ntry%20Division&MID=Infantry%20Divisions&q=382&FID=89 PFC Valadez was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 347th Infantry Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division. The 87th was moving into Germany when (Marshal Karl) Von Rundstedt launched his German offensive in the Ardennes (France). The Division was placed in reserve, 24-28 December 1944, and then thrown into the Bulge battle in Belgium, 29 December. In a fluctuating battle, the 87th captured Moircy on the 30th and Remagne both in Belgium on the 31st of December 1944. On 2 January 1945, it took Germont, France and on the 10th Tillet, Belgium and reached the Ourthe River by the 13th. On 15 January 1945, the Division moved to Luxembourg to relieve the 4th Division along the Sauer River and seized Wasserbillig, Luxembourge on the 23d. The 87th moved to the vicinity of St. Vith, 28 January, and attacked and captured Schlierbach, Selz, and Ogden by the end of the month (Jan 1945). After the fall of Neuendorf, 9 February 1944, the Division went on the defensive until the 26th, when Ormont and Hallschlag were taken in night attacks. The 87th crossed the Kyll River, 6 March, took Dollendorf on the 8th, and after a brief rest, returned to combat, 13 March 1945, crossing the Moselle River on the 16th and clearing Koblenz, 18-19 March. The Division crossed the Rhine, 25-26 March, despite strong opposition, consolidated its bridgehead, and secured Grossenlinden and Langgons. On 28 March 1945, PFC Alubo Valadez was killed in Action in the town of Oberlahnstein, Germany close to the banks of the Rhine River. On 7 April, the Division continued its attack in Germany and carried it through Thuringia into Saxony. Plauen fell, 17 April, and the Division took up defensive positions, 20 April, about 4 miles from the Czech border. On 6 May 1945, it took Falkenstein and maintained its positions until VE-day. The end of World War II in Europe is known as VE (Victory in Europe) day 8 May 1945. PFC Alubo Valadez, the Hero, fought with the 87th Infantry Division almost until the end of the war in Europe. His Battalion, the 1st Battalion, 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division was the only Battalion recognized with the Presidential Unit Citation on 25

March 1945 for the conspicuous heroism during the crossing of the Rhine River. World War II soldiers were buried in temporary cemeteries in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. http://www.med-dept.com/cemeteries.php

Top: The last casket is checked aboard the USS Transport Joseph V. Connolly first US war dead are being repatriated from Belgium to the United States Bottom: US Army Transport Joseph V. Connolly, leaving Antwerp Port, bearing the remains of 5,600 American war dead on their way to the United States Antwerp, Belgium October 1947

The San Antonio Express newspaper of 18 November 1948 announced that 75 war dead was being sent home to South Texas and included the name of PFC Alubo Valadez. This American Hero that valiantly gave his all for his Country was returned to South Texas approximately 18 December 1948. He was buried 20 December 1948 in San Jose Cemetery, San Jose, Texas.

PFC Alubo Valadezs name is one of 15 local Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country during World War II. His name is engraved on the Memorial in front of the Guadalupe R. Ramirez, American Legion Post #405 in Benavides, Texas.

Rest in Peace, Soldier! Rest in Peace! Sequence of battles (not all inclusive) by the 87th Infantry Division December 1944-March 1945

This map shows most of the battles by the 87th Infantry Division, the Division with its 3 Infantry Regiments were scattered within the area. A-Battle of the Bulge, Belgium December 29, 1944 B-Captured the City of Moircy, Belgium 30 December 1944 C-Captured the City of Remagne, Belgium 31 December 1944 D-Captured City of Germont, France 2 January 1945 E-Captured City of Tillet, Belgium 10 January 1945 F-Seized City of Wasserbillig,Luxembourg 23 January 1945 G-Captured City of Selz, Luxembourg 28 January 1945 H-Captured the City of Nuendorf, Germany 9 February 1945 I-Captured the City of Hallschlag, Germany 26 February 1945 J-Took the City of Bollendorf, Germany 8 March 1945 Crossed the Moselle River (light blue line) 16 March 1945 K-Cleared the City of Koblenz 18-19 March 1945 The 87th Division crossed the Rhine River (dark blue line) 25-26 March 1945 L-Secured the City of Langgons 26 March 1945 M-PFC ALUBO VALADEZ WAS KILLED IN ACTION 28 MARCH 1945, Oberlahnstein, Germany

Area PFC Alubo Valadez Killed in Action 28 March 1945 RIBBONS AND BADGES AUTHORIZED PFC ALUBO VALADEZ

Combat Infantry Badge

Medals: Purple Heart (2); Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal WW II; Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal (3 stars); Victory Medal WW II.

Army Presidential Unit Citation (No medal struck)

PFC ALUBO VALADEZ ENLISTMENT RECORD

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Roster of World War II Dead

Alubo Valadez BRANCH OF SERVICE U.S. Army HOMETOWN San Jose, TX HONORED BY Amando Gonzalez ACTIVITY DURING WWII HE SERVED WITH COMPANY 'A', 1ST BATTALION, 347TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 87TH INFANTRY DIVISION. HE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF 2 PURPLE HEARTS AND WAS KILLED IN ACTION OBERLAHNSTEIN, GERMANY 28 MARCH 1945.

PFC Alubo Valadez ID: 38156160 Branch of Service: U.S. Army Hometown: Jim Wells County, TX Status: KIA

Certificate of Death issued 21 December 1948

Application for Headstone or Marker 20 December 1948

MEMORIAL IN ALICE, TEXAS INCLUDES PFC ALUBO VALADEZ