Former U.S. Army Sgt. Juan Gonzalez Castillo served honorably decades ago in one of the nation’s bloodiest conflicts, but years went by without his service being properly recognized. That recently changed without his knowledge, and on his birthday no less.
Castillo is a resident of the small town of Tynan, located within Bee County, Texas. He served with the 196th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 before leaving the Army in 1971, according to KRIS 6 TV out of Corpus Christi. He suffered multiple wounds during his military tenure but never received the medals he deserved for his actions.
But with the efforts of local officials, a custom shadow box was presented to Castillo that reportedly brought him to tears. It also caught him completely off guard, culminating 56 years of waiting.
“What more can I ask now that everything is finally complete with my medals that took 56 years,” Castillo told KRIS TV. “I’ve got to keep on going. Thank you all very much, and may God bless all of you.”
While Castillo reportedly “couldn’t understand why it took so long” to receive his medals, he was unaware of how officials in the small Tynan community were working behind the scenes to make amends.
Bee County Constable Ronnie Olivares reportedly caught wind of Castillo’s situation, later contacting Bee County Commissioner Kristofer Linney as part of a joint effort to verify the Vietnam veteran’s military record.
After requesting a review of Castillo’s military records by Bee County Veterans Service Officer Sandra Musquez, they verified that he earned several military decorations. While the awards process can typically take years, 56 years is more than almost anyone expects.
“With his birthday coming up, we thought, ‘What a great thing,'” Linney told KRIS TV. “Let’s just go in three ways and split the cost of all the medals, the shadow box, the whole deal, and do a celebration for him on his birthday.”
Linney, Olivares and Commissioner-elect David Cave personally paid for the medals and commissioned the custom shadow box that was presented to Castillo during what was initially planned as a small birthday presentation.
The smallness of the plan ultimately became bigger, developing into a community-wide tribute involving family, friends, neighbors and other veterans.
“He was literally in tears,” Linney said, adding that he was honored to show respect to a veteran who risked his life. “He was so happy.”
Castillo’s Military Wounds, Post-War Life
Castillo’s military decorations are now updated and can be viewed as a constant symbol of his dedication to the nation.
It didn’t come without major risks. He was reportedly wounded twice while deployed to Vietnam, with the second attack almost ending his life as he and his unit were moving through rice fields when an airstrike occurred.
“When I got hurt the second time, that’s when I really got hurt real bad that I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Castillo told KRIS TV, adding that he was evacuated through military hospitals before eventually returning to the states.
While he still has his “nightmares” due to his service in Vietnam, Castillo said life is great. He has three daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and credits his wife for helping him through years of recovery.
He mainly credits his wife for helping him find solace in the decades after the Vietnam War’s conclusion.
“She helped me a lot,” Castillo said. “She took care of me and my girls. What more can I ask now? Everything’s perfect.”
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