N ANTONIO, TX, US
U.S. Marine Corps
CPL, 1ST BN 11TH MAR, (RCT-2, I MEF FWD), 1ST MAR DIV, CAMP PENDLETON, CA
10/17/2010, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Lance Corporal Jorge Villarreal, age twenty-two, a motor vehicle operator and another Marine were killed by improvised explosive devices while on foot patrols. Cpl Villarreal died on October 17, 2010. The Marines were assigned to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, California. Cpl Villarreal’s artillery unit was assigned to protect the Kajaki Dam, a 320-foot-high, 887-foot-wide landmark in northeastern Helmand province built by the U.S. in 1953 to provide hydroelectric power.
Jorge Villareal’s family had enjoyed time together in the summer of 2010 prior to his deployment to Afghanistan. He graduated from high school in 2006, was a member of the National Honor Society and served as his class treasurer. He was also e waHewas considered the backbone of a close-knit group of friends who grew up together.
They were more like brothers, than just friends. Jorge often served as the peacemaker of the group, settling disputes among friends. He was a fun-loving young man who enjoyed spending time with his friends and going out on weekends. Although Villarreal talked about joining the Marines, friends were still surprised to learn that he enlisted Feb. 12, 2007.
Lance Corporal Villarreal previously deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the western Pacific in 2008. The Marine Corps said his personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and NATO Medal.
Friends said Villarreal expected to return home for the 2010 holidays and was excited about visiting them again.
A friend who serves in the Army and Jorge did talk about death. Jorge told him to mourn for him for an hour and after that, he said we should party it up and celebrate his life.