the recently released Mel Gibson film, “Hacksaw Ridge,” depicts the battle where Casillas first saw combat action against Japanese army from May 17 through 20 in 1945.
“Joe’s actions saved the lives of the remaining members of the 77th Division, 307th Regimental Combat Team’s Easy Company during the initial three days of battle on Ishimmi Ridge the last major battle of WWII,” stated Valdovinos. “Joe’s heroism was later immortalized in the Military Channel’s television program, ‘Okinawa: Island Fortress.’”
According to military historians, the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 was the last major battle of World War II and the largest sea-land-air battle in history. It took months of nightmarish fighting to capture the island.
Casillas was a member of Company E of the 307th Army Infantry and helped capture the key Ishimmi Ridge near Shuri, Okinawa, in a night attack on May 17, 1945, holding it for three days against continuous counterattacks even though completely isolated from friendly units and without food and ammunition. Casillas was assigned by his commander to lob a smoke grenade so that members of Company C would not be fired on by American artillery. Casillas did as he was order and then was told that he’d been given the wrong grenade, which was spewing out the wrong-colored smoke. Casillas was ordered a second time to lob another grenade — with the correctly colored smoke — which he did. In both instances, Casillas had to expose himself to enemy fire and in both instances he emerged unscathed. Of the 204 original members of Company E, there were 156 casualties.
Joe retired from Sagara Trucking after rising to the position of Vice President for Operations in 1991. He lived out the balance of his life lovingly caring for his wife, his 12 children; 25 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Preceded in death by his mother, Isabel Garcia; his first wife, Lupe; Rita his second wife; sister, Margaret; brother, Freddy, and grandsons, Michael Duran Jr. and Justin Aaron Casillas, posthumous recipient of the Silver Star,
Bronze Star, and
Purple Heart KIA Afghanistan July 4, 2009. Joe was loved dearly by many. He will be remembered for his fortitude, the strength of character, infectious spirit, and easy laughter.
Visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m., at Kraft Brothers Funeral Directors, 175 2nd Street.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m., at Holy Rosary Church, 301 Walnut Street. Burial will follow at 2 p.m., at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon. Reception will be at 3 p.m., American Legion Yolo Post 77, 523 Bush St. In lieu of flowers, gifts or donations may be made to , UC Davis Children's Hospital, or .
