Raúl G. Villaronga
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Raúl G. Villaronga | |
|---|---|
 Raúl G. Villaronga | |
| Mayor of Killeen, Texas | |
| In office 1992–1998 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1, 1938 United States of America
 8th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) 13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM) |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star w/ "V" Device (4) |
Raúl G. Villaronga (April 1, 1938 – March 20, 2021) was a United States Army officer who was the first Puerto Rican mayor of a Texas city. He served as mayor of Killeen, Texas, for three consecutive terms, from 1992 to 1998.[1]
Early years
Raúl G. Villaronga was born on April 1, 1938, in
During his high school years, he joined the
Military career
While attending Texas A&M, Villaronga worked for
From 1963 to 1965, Villaronga was assigned to the
Vietnam War
In 1966, Villaronga completed the Infantry Officers Career Course and then was sent to the
When he returned to the United States, Villaronga served as special warfare instructor, U.S. Army Quartermaster School and as supply systems instructor, US Army Quartermaster School from September 1967 to December 1969 at
During the 1970s, he completed the Logistics Executive Development Course and served in various positions in the military. He returned to the Republic of Vietnam and served as logistics staff officer, 29th General Support Group, and as the battalion executive officer, 266 Supply and Service Battalion.[5]
Post-Vietnam War
In June 1973, he was reassigned to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where until November 1976 he served in the following positions: chief, plans & programs, and manpower, defense depot; chief, management support office, defense depot and chief, transportation division, defense depot. During this period (1973) Villaronga earned his master's degree in industrial engineering from Texas Tech University and also completed the following courses: Defense Language Institute (German) and the Brigade, Battalion Commanders Course. On January 1, 1976, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. From November 1976 to October 1979, he served in Europe as commander, 66th Maintenance Battalion in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and later as plans & operation officer, 7th Support Command.[6]
In November 1979, Villaronga was assigned to
Awards and decorations
Among Villaronga's military decorations are the following:
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| Badge | Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||||||||
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| 1st Row | Silver Star | Legion of Merit | ||||||||||
| 2nd Row | Oak Leaf Clusters
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Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters |
Air Medal | |||||||||
| 3rd Row | Army Commendation Medal
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Joint Service Commendation Medal
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Armed Forces Reserve Medal | |||||||||
| 4th Row | Service stars
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Army Service Ribbon | award numeral 1
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| 5th Row | National Defense Service Medal | Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Silver Service Star |
Vietnam Campaign Medal | |||||||||
| Badges | Special Forces Tab | Master Parachutist Badge | ||||||||||
Civilian life
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After Villaronga retired from the military, he decided to make Killeen his home and went to work as a part-time professor at Central Texas College, where he taught logistics, math and computer science. Unable to get a full-time position as a professor because he lacked a master's degree in education, he decided to work as a consultant for the Department of Defense and later for Brown & Root Services Corporation in Houston. Villaronga applied and was hired by the Texas Attorney General's Office in Austin, and served with the Child Support Enforcement Division. He designed and implemented a case tracking system that provided visibility as to what was happening to cases in each of the organizations involved with CSED.
Political career
Villaronga became interested in an ongoing situation between the citizens of Killeen and the members of the Killeen
In 1992, Villaronga successfully ran for mayor of Killeen. Villaronga, the first Puerto Rican to be elected mayor of a Texas city was sworn in office June 20, 1992.
- An agreement with the cable TVchannel, where the City Council Meetings are broadcast live.
- Establishment of the Central Texas Area Veterans Advisory Committee, giving veterans a stronger voice on local matters which resulted in the recognition of the contributions of all veterans to the community.
- A plan for Automation that integrated Local Area Networks in the city's Departments was established.
- An agreement with the Army to use Fort Hood's Robert Gray Army Airfieldas a Joint Use Airport, which opened up transportation to the area and resulted in a great economic growth boom.
- A Youth Advisory Commission which provided representation to their Future Leaders as a Commission reporting directly to the City Council on all matters concerning Youth.
- Establishment of the first Sister City Program in Killeen with the city of Osan, South Korea.
Later years
Among the civic organizations which Villaronga was involved with were the
Villaronga and his wife were retired and resided in Killeen. They had three grown sons. Villaronga died March 20, 2021, in Killeen. He was buried with full Military Honors at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Barbanegra, Don Jibaro. "Puerto Rican Senate leader honored at gala in Texas". UPI.
- ^ a b The Battalion, Texas A&M University.
- ^ a b Newsletter
- ^ 8th Special Forces Group
- ^ a b c 761st
- ^ a b Class Newsletter Archived 2008-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ mayor of Killeen
- ^ Community leaders honored for unyielding service Killeen Daily Herald
- ^ Imerman, Thaddeus; King, Hunter; Brooks, Jacob (March 20, 2021). "Former Killeen mayor — Vietnam War veteran Raul Villaronga — dies at age 82". The Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved March 20, 2021.