Ismael Alonzo

Ismael Alonzo was inducted into the Army on September 7, 1965, where he went to Basic Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. His friend Tony Cervantez Sr. went with him. Tony also lived in Fillmore. In November 1965, he went to Fort Ord Ca. for advanced Infantry training as a SML vehicle driver.

On February 4, 1966, Ismael was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Division (Black Lions), located in Phuac Vinh, Viet Nam, 38 miles northeast of Saigon. The 28th Division had gone to Viet Nam in 1965 and his troop was replacing the first phase of combat soldiers. He was assigned to Supply and was given the task of replacing the radio operator for the platoon. Ismael would be with the 28th Division when they went out on missions. He oversaw supply and demand in the front lines. He spent many hours in helicopters securing what was needed. Sometimes in rough areas to land in landing zones because of the terrain.

Ismael was awarded several medals including the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Ribbon, and the Sharpshooter Badge. He was discharged on September 7, 1967, as an E-4 Specialist.
Ismael has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) since 1990. You will see him and other members of VFW at ceremonies and parades throughout Fillmore and Piru.

He was born in Mexico, but his family settled in San Antonio, Texas for five years before moving to Santa Paula where the family worked in agriculture. He graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1965.
Ismael has been married to Rosa Cabral Alonzo since 1968. They have three children, Tony, Irene, and Adam. There are eight grandchildren, two adopted grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. They have lived in Fillmore since 1990.