Here are the arrangements for our Brother Sir Knight, Al C. Villagran, Jr., that has been called home to GOD last week.
Alfred (Al) Villagran, Jr, was a member of the St. Louis Assembly 565 and Incarnate Word Council. The family of SK Villagran has requested our support, as well as that of the Honor Guard from Assembly 565, to provide a Standing Guard and a Prayer Service for the viewing, and support the funeral, as well. Escorts are welcome.
- Viewing:
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- Schrader’s Funeral Home, 14960 Manchester Rd. Ballwin, MO 63011 on April 5, 2022 from 4:00 – 8:00pm. Prayer Service is at 7:00pm.
- Funeral Mass:
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- Incarnate Word Catholic Church, 13416 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO 63017 on April 6, 2022 at 10:00am
Alfred was 98 years old at the time of his passing. He was very active in the Council up until age 90.
The following is from an article that appeared in the Call three years ago when Alfred Villagran and two other servicemen received France’s highest distinction, the Legion of Honor, during a ceremony at the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis.
Alfred C. Villagran, Jr. was born in East Orange, New Jersey in 1923. He flew 33 missions as a radio operator and gunner with the 369th Bomb Squadron, 306th Bomb group, 8th Air Force. On his first mission to Munich his plane was shot down over the target. Having lost two engines, the plane fell 7,000 feet. Getting the plane under control, the crew headed to the English Channel. They were picked up by three enemy fighters and lost the third engine. Now heading to an emergency field in England, they were attacked again by three planes.
A U.S. warplane in the area defended them and shot two planes, and Villagran shot the third one. Villagran is the last surviving member of the original crew.
Villagran participated in the following campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, and Germany. His missions over France include: Ham, Somme (Northern France), St Lo, Manche (Normandy), Kirwiller, Bas-Rhin (Rhineland), Munster and Haut-Rhin (Rhineland).
Villagran was honorably discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey in May 1945. Among many awards, he received the Air Medal and the European African Middle Eastern medal.
The Homor Guard uniform remains the standard current uniform with ceremonial baldric and sword. Escorts should wear dark suit, tie, social baldric and white gloves.
